:  •  '-I 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Songs    of  The    Ring. 


By 


Rabbi    Ben    Tomi. 


The  Secret  of  Success  is  Patience,  Hope,  and  Trust  in  God. — The 
Secret  of  Happiness,  giving  Happiness  to  others. 


NEW    YORK: 

PUBLISHED    BY   WALTER    GIBSON, 

59    Liberty  Street. 

i  866. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  I860,  by 
WALTER  GIBSON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


PS 


TO 

ALL  WHO  WEARY  AND  ARE  HEAVY  LADKX, 
THIS    BOOK 

is 

DED1CA  TED 
BY 

RABBI    BEN    TO  MI. 


904590 


CONTENTS. 


THE  SECRET  OF  HAPPINESS  ...  9 

O  YE  WHO  WEARY           ....  10 

THE  FIRST  SABBATH              .             .             .  .11 

THE  FIRST  NEW  YEAR    ....  12 

THE  FIRST  CHRISTMAS          .            .            .  .14 

NEW  YEAR  SONG              ....  16 

A  WINTER  DAY         .            .            .             .  .16 

CLOVER  HILL        .....  18 

THE  RABBI'S  CONVICTION     .             .             .  .19 

THE  WITHERED  TREE      ....  20 

THE  LITTLE.  STREET-SWEEPER         .            .  .21 

THE  VIOLET          .....  24 

RETURN  OF  THE  BLUEBIRD   .            .            .  .25 

THE  WEEPING  WILLOW               ...  26 

THE  SEARCH  FOR  PEACE      .            .            .  28 

PERFECT  PEACE    .....  30 

OH,  WHAT  is  LIFE?                .            .            .  .31 

THERE  ARE  MOMENTS  IN  LIFE  .            .              .  31 
5 


Q  CONTENTS. 

LET  THE  SILVER  CORD  BE  LOOSED               .  .        32 

WHY  FEAR,  O  MAN?        ....  33 

THE  SOLDIER'S  REST             .             .            .  .35 

Tne  CRUCIFIXION              ....  38 

FROM  ?TH  CHAPTER  OF  ST.  LUKE  .            .  .40 

CHARITY     .             .             .            .                         .  41 

I  FEEL  THE  LORD  DOTH  BLESS        .             .  .42 

"BLESSED  ARE  THE  POOR  IN  SPIRIT"                .  43 

"DAUGHTER,  BE  OF  GOOD  COMFORT"        .  .        44 
"LET   NOT   THY    LEFT    HAND    KNOW    WHAT   THY 

RIGHT  HAND  DOETH  "...  45 

"THY  SINS  BE  FORGIVEN"  .             .             .  .46 

TRUST  AND  PRAY              ....  46 

THE  LORD'S  PRAYER              .            .            .  .47 

WHEN  I  REFLECT  ON  ALL  THE  DEEDS               .  48 

0  YE  OF  LITTLE  FAITH         .            .             .  .49 

"  GO,    AND    SlN   NO    MORE  "...  50 

To  AN  ICEBERG  AT  SEA        .            .            .  .61 

To  A  MOTHER,  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  A  CHILD     .  52 

"I  KNOW  THAT  MY  REDEEMER  LlVETH  "  .        53 

"  TRUST  YE  IN  THE  LORD  FOREVER  "     .             .  54 

JESUS,  ROCK  OF  MY  SALVATION       .             .  .55 

"  CAST  THY  BREAD  UPON  THE  WATERS  "           .  56 

1  THANK  THEE,  LORD,  FOR  EVERY  GIFT  .         57 
THE  WISDOM  OF  KING  DAVID   ...  58 
THE  VICTORY  OF  KING  ASA             .            .  .59 
THE  PRAYER  OF  KING  ASA         ...  61 
"BE  YE  STRONG"      .            .  61 


CONTENTS.  7 

THE  PUNISHMENT  OF  UZ'ZIAH      .            .  62 

FROM  DEUTERONOMY  24TH   .  .63 

FROM  JOB  23o      .....  64 

HE  FEEDETH  ON  ASHES        .            .            .  65 " 

"TO  WHOM  WILL  YE  LIKEN  GOD  ?  "       .            .  66 

FROM  ISAIAH  40TH     .             .            .             .  .67 

FROM  PROVERBS  26xn      ....  68 

FROM  PROVERBS  ISru           .            .            .  .69 

FROM  ISAIAH  32D              .            .            .             .  70 

"  IF  YE  HAVE  FAITH  AND  DOUBT  NOT"       .  .        71 

STEPHEN  BEFORE  THE  COUNCIL                .            .  72 

THE  PREACHER     .....  74 

"REMEMBER  THY  CREATOR"            .            .  .76 

" BOAST  NOT  THYSELF  OF  TO-MORROW"            .  77 

"  ALL  FLESH  is  GRASS  "                    .             .  .78 
"A  MAN  THAT  HAS  FRIENDS,  MUST  snow  HIMSELF 

FRIENDLY"            .            .            .            .  .79 

PRAYER  OF  AGUR             .            .             .            .  80 

FATHER  OF  MERCIES              .            ...  .        81 

PRAYER  OF  HABAKKUK    .            .             .            .  81 

PRAYER  OF  THE  PSALMIST  —  DARK  CLOUDS  .        83 

THE  .BLESSINGS  OF  OBEDIENCE  TO  GOD             .  '           84 

THE  ANGEL  CHILD     .            .            .             .  .85 

THE  GOODNESS  OF  GOD  ....  86 

"  THE  LORD  is  MY  SHEPHERD  "      .            .  .87 

UNTO  THE  LORD  GIVE  THANKS  ...  88 

UNLESS  THE  LORD  BE  WITH  us                    .  .89 

PRAISE  GOD          ....  -90 


g  CONTENTS. 

I  LOVE  THE  LORD  MY  GOD         ...  90 

"  THEY  THAT  sow  IN  TEARS  "                       .  .91 

"  UNTO  THEE  O  LORD,  DO  I  LIFT  UP  MY  SOUL"  92 

"WHO    IS    STRONG    LIKE    THE    LORD?                        .  .             92 

THOU  ART  MY  HIDING-PLACE,  O  GOD                .  93 

"COMMIT  THY  WAY  UNTO  THE  LORD"       .  .         94 

HELP  COMETH  FROM  THE  LORD              .             .  94 

"WHOM  HAVE  I  IN  HEAVEN  BUT  THEE?''  .        95 

THE  MIGHTY  POWER  OF  GOD      ...  97 

A  PRAYER  —  PART  1.     THE  ANSWER  —  PART  2  .        98 

IN  MEMORIAM       .  99 


SONGS    OF    THE    RING. 


THE  SECRET  OF  HAPPINESS. 

THE  words  of  the  Rabbi  Ben  Toini, 
The  words  which  now  I  sing, 

Are  engraved  in  mystic  signs 
On  the  Rabbi's  sacred  ring. 

My  son  !  dost  thou  wish  to  know 
The  secret  of  worldly  success  ? 

And  having  that  knowledge,  learn 
The  secret  of  happiness  ? 

Remember,  thou  art  but  man, 
Formed  out  of  crumbling  dust ; 

Then  learn  in  patience  to  wait, 
To  hope,  and  in  God  to  trust. 

From  Patience,  Experience  comes, 
From  Experience,  Hope  we  possess  ; 

And  he  who  will  trust  in  his  God, 
His  God  will  assuredly  bless. 

Then  scatter  thy  bounties  abroad 

To  less  fortunate  sisters  and  brothers, 

For  happiness  only  is  found 
By  giving  it  unto  others. 

9 


OH,  YE  WHO   WEARY. 

On,  ye  who  weary  and  are  sad, 

Who  heavy  laden  be, 
Ask  if  your  burden  heavier  is 

Than  others  you  may  see. 

The  weight  of  it  may  bear  you  down 

With  tiresome  toil  and  heat, 
But  in  your  travail  you  may  fall 

And  clasp  a  Saviour's  feet. 

The  Saviour  who  in  patience  bore 

A  burden  heavier  still, 
The  cross  which  bowed  him  to  the  earth, 

Ascending  Calvary's  Hill. 

The  Saviour  who  in  mercy  gave 

This  burden  unto  you, 
Which  by  its  weight  your  soul  may  save, 

And  give  you  life  anew. 

10 


THE  FIRST  SABBATH. 

GENESIS,  CHAPTER  n. 

Tms  is  the  holy  Sabbath  day, 
The  day  our  God  has  blest, 

Created,  sanctified  by  Him 
To  be  a  day  of  rest. 

The  heavens  and  all  the  earth  complete, 

Jehovah  resting  stood, 
And  seeing  all  that  He  had  made, 

Pronounced  it  very  good. 

All  nature  joyous  at  its  birth, 
The  voice  of  Heaven  had  heard, 

And  bowed  in  holy  reverence 
Before  the  mighty  word. 

The  light  shone  softer  on  that  day, 

Obedient  to  God's  will ; 
In  Eden,  bird  and  beast  reposed, 

And  everything  was  still. 

The  morning  stars  together  sang 
A  song  which  filled  the  sky  ; 

And  all  the  sons  of  God  did  shout 
Praise  to  the  Lord  Most  High. 

While  angels,  round  the  throne  of  God, 
Proclaimed  with  joyous  zest 

The  last  day  sanctified  by  love, 
The  brightest  and  the  best. 

11 


THE   FIRST  NEW  YEAR. 

IN  chaos  all  was  black  as  night, 

God  spake  the  word,  "  Let  there  be  light :  " 

And  light  shone  far  and  near  ; 
Bright  angels  present  at  the  birth, 
Sang  anthems  to  the  new-born  earth, 

And  hailed  the  first  new  year. 

The  infant  Sun,  his  natal  day, 
Shot  boldly  forth  a  loving  ray 

Upon  a  barren  clod, 
Which,  overjoyed  with  unknown  bliss, 
In  glad  response  to  Heaven's  first  kiss, 

Bore  fruits  and  flowers  to  God. 

The  crescent  Moon,  the  lesser  light, 
Cast  through  the  spangled  veil  of  night 

Her  glance  upon  the  deep  ; 
And  falling  on  a  wild  wave's  crest, 
So  calmed  and  lulled  it  into  rest, 

It  rocked  itself  to  sleep. 

Five  thousand  years  and  more  have  flown 
Since  first  upon  a  new  year  shone 

The  Sun  which  shines  to-day  ; 
Five  thousand  years  with  changes  fraught, 
To  him  no  change  or  rest  have  brought, 

Or  dimmed  one  quenchless  ray. 
12 


SONGS   Of  THE  RING. 


Five  thousand  years,  and  more,  have  fled 
Since  first  the  new-year  young-  moon  shed 

Her  light  upon  the  sea  ; 
Five  thousand  years  the  sea  has  sighed, 
Five  thousand  years  the  ebb  and  tide 

Have  answered  her  decree. 

In  Eden,  when  the  day's  last  gleam 
Was  falling  soft  on  wood  and  stream, 

The  voice  of  God  was  heard  ; 
While  man,  the  creature  of  his  hand, 
In  pristine  purity  would  stand 

And  listen  to  the  word. 

Five  thousand  years,  and  more,  have  sped 
Since  first  Jehovah  deigned  to  tread 

On  Eden's  sacred  sod,  — 
Five  thousand  years  of  sad  remorse, 
For  Eve  and  Adam's  sinful  course, 

In  disobeying  God. 

The  God,  who,  for  five  thousand  years, 
Has  heard  the  prayers  and  dried  the  tears 

Of  sorrow-stricken  men  ; 
The  God  who  Adam's  seed  to  save, 
His  only  son  a  victim  gave, 

Is  now  the  same  as  then. 

Five  thousand  years  on  which  were  cast 
So  many  doubts,  are  now  the  past, 

And  teach  man  not  to  fear  ; 
But  trust  unto  the  God  who  said, 
"  Let  there  be  light,"  and  light  obeyed, 

And  welcome  each  new  year. 


14  SONGS  OF  THE 


With  stern  resolve  to  do  God's  will, 
Under  affliction  to  be  still, 

Believing  all  for  best ; 
So  when  this  new  year,  like  the  last, 
Shall  be  entombed  in  the  past, 

We  all  can  call  it  blest. 


THE  FIRST   CHRISTMAS. 
ST.  LUKE. 

IN  Bethlehem,  round  a  stable  rude, 
In  holy,  reverent  attitude, 

A  host  of  angels  hover, 
To  welcome  to  a  lowly  manger 
The  King  of  kings,  a  pilgrim  stranger, 

Who  came  our  sins  to  cover. 

No  fiery  sun  of  garish  day 
Illumed  the  stable  where  he  lay, 

Or  flickered  on  his  sight ; 
The  glory  of  himself  shone  out, 
And  lit  the  stable  round  about,  — 

Of  all  the  world  the  light. 

His  star  from  fixedness  released, 
To  homage  pay  came  from  the  east, 

And  stood  o'er  Bethlehem's  sod, 
While  Magi  following,  Heaven  foretold, 
Unto  the  child  brought  gifts  of  gold, 

And  worshipped  him,  their  God. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING.  15 


The  shepherds,  keeping  watch  by  night, 
Are  overpowered  by  unknown  light 

Of  glory  shining  round  ; 
And  feeling  that  the  Lord  is  near, 
Are  filled  with  supernatural  fear, 
.  And  kneel  upon  the  ground,  — 

When  lo  !  an  angel  from  whom  shone 
The  glory  of  the  Father's  throne, 

Said,  Be  ye  not  afraid  ! 
And  in  a  soft,  angelic  voice, 
Spake  tidings  good,  and  said,  Rejoice, 

Be  all  your  doubts  allayed  ; 

For  unto  you  is  born  this  day, 
And  in  a  manger  now  doth  lay 

A  Saviour,  Christ  the  Lord  ; 
In  earth  henceforth  there  shall  be  peace, 
His  acts  of  love  shall  never  cease, 

He  is  the  Son  of  God ! 

While  seraphs  of  the  heavenly  host, 
To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 

Sang  glory  !  glory  !  glory  ! 
And  every  cherub  voice  on  high, 
Did  echo  through  the  azure  sky 

So  wonderful  a  story. 


NEW  YEAR  SONG. 

f  , 

I  THANK  thee,  Lord,  that  thou  hast  led 
Thji  servant  through  this  year, 

And  start  a  new  one  now  to  tread, 
Without  one  doubt  or  fear, 

Remembering1  that  I  am  but  dust, 

And  living,  Lord,  in  hope  and  trust. 

With  firm,  relying  trust  I  cast 
My  burdens,  Lord,  on  thee  ; 

Thy  tender  mercies  in  the  past 
Give  future  hope  to  me, 

That  thou  by  him  wilt  ever  stand, 

Whom  thou  hast  holden  by  the  hand. 


A  WINTER  DAY. 

THE  snow  lies  on  the  ground, 
The  trees  are  stripped  and  bare, 

And  the  sunbeam  chilly  nipped 
By  the  hazy,  murky  air. 

The  black  crow  gloomy  sits 

With  her  head  beneath  her  wing, 

In  her  sable  feathers  wrapped 
Like  a  mourner  for  the  spring. 


SOXGS   OF  THE  RING. 


The  cedar  and  the  laurel, 

Defiant  of  the  blast, 
Stand  in  glory  ever  green 

Like  the  memory  of  the  past. 

The  wind  sighs  through  the  oak 
With  a  sad  and  mournful  strain, 

Which  the  cedar  echoes  back,  — 
That  spring  will  come  again. 

That  though  the  leaves,  her  children, 

Are  lying  dead  around, 
They  are  keeping  warm  the  sap 

Of  their  mother  in  the  ground. 

The  little  Quaker  snowbird, 
Deprived  of  grain  for  food, 

Plucks  the  tasteless  crimson  berry, 
And  feels  that  God  is  good. 

Then  in  some  rocky  crevice 

Hides  from  tempest  and  the  rain, 

For  the  God  of  nature  tells  him 
That  the  sun  will  shine  again. 

The  squirrel  dormant  lies 

In  his  nut-encircled  nest, 
And  clasps  his  cherished  partner 

With  a  chip-chip  to  his  breast. 

The  waterfall  hangs  silent, 

A  glittering  sheet  of  ice, 
Like  crystals  in  a  cavern, 

Of  strange  and  wild  device. 

2* 


18  SONGS   OF  THE  KING. 


The  trout  in  crystal  bower     . 

Doth  still  and  torpid  lay, 
Dreaming-  of  the  noisy  ripple 

Which  he  heard  in  sunny  May. 

Not  a  murmur  can  we  hear 

From  these  children  of  the  wood, 

For  they  know  their  mother  Nature 
Sends  the  winter  for  their  good. 

Then  let  me  learn  from  nature 
.     To  bear  God's  holy  will, 
And  to  quell  my  thoughts  insurgent, 
With  His  saying,  "  Peace,  be  still." 


CLOVER  HILL. 

BY  a  little  stream  which  rippled 
Through  the  valley  and  the  wood, 

Dwelt  an  old  man  and  his  wife, 
Both  gentle,  kind,  and  good. 

They  never  turned  their  faces 
From  the  suffering  and  the  poor, 

And  the  pilgrim  and  the  stranger 
Met  a  welcome  at  their  door. 

They  bore  their  burdens  meekly, 

And  did  their  Master's  will, 
And  thought  all  things  were  for  the  best, 

In  their  home  at  Clover  Hill. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


And  when  life's  journey  ended, 
They  laid  them  down  to  sleep, 

Where  the  violets  grow  above  them 
And  the  willows  o'er  them  weep. 


THE  RABBI'S  CONVICTION. 

THE  Rabbi  Ben  Tomi  was  poor, 

He  knew  that  gold  was  a  curse  ; 
He  left  open  the  latch  of  his  door, 

And  gave  away  all  in  his  purse. 

For  each  piece  of  silver  he  gave, 
He  found  a  gold  coin  in  its  place  ; 

He  grew  rich  and  determined  to  save, 

And  his  wealth  and  his  meanness  kept  pace. 

He  fastened  the  latch  of  his  door, 

On  his  money-bags  nightly  would  kneel ; 

Thought  that  none  but  the  wicked  were  poor, 
Nor  cared  if  they  starved  or  should  steal. 

But  the  Lord,  in  his  mercy,  looked  down 
On  the  Rabbi  Ben  Tomi  one  day ; 

On  his  avarice  sternly  did  frown, 
And  took  half  of  his  riches  away. 

And  the  Rabbi  awoke  to  the  thought, 
If  this  money  had  only  been  given, 

His  work  would  have  not  gone  for  nought, 
But  be  credited  to  him  in  heaven. 


20  SONGS   OF   THE  RIXG. 


So  he  bowed  to  the  loss  and  did  say, 

I  see  it  is  useless  to  hoard, 
It  is  the  Lord  giveth  and  taketh  away ; 

Bless'd  be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

And  he  put  out  his  latch-string  with  love, 
Gave  freely  in  hope  and  in  trust, 

And  invested  his  treasures  above, 
Where  neither  is  moth  nor  is  rust. 

Then  the  Lord,  in  his  mercy,  did  smile, 
And  all  of  his  gifts  did  increase, 

And  Ben  Tomi  grew  rich  all  the  while, 
And  his  days  and  nights  ended  in  peace. 


THE  WITHERED  TREE. 

OLD  withered  tree,  beneath  thy  shade 
In  infancy  I  oft  have  played, 
And  from  thy  branches  often  heard 
The  loving  song  of  summer  bird. 

But  thou  and  I  are  both  grown  old, 
Our  day  has  passed,  our  tale  been  told, 
And  thou  who  hast  a  century  stood, 
Art  fit  alone  for  kindling-wood. 

But  in  thy  old  and  glorious  age, 
My  sorrow  still  thou  canst  assuage  ; 
Thou  who  hast  sheltered  me  from  storm, 
Can  now  console  and  keep  me  warm. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING.  21 


And  when  upon  my  hearth  I  place 
Thy  withered  trunk,  then  I  will  trace, 
In  every  flame  that  leaps  on  high, 
Some  youthful  hopes  which  withered  lie, 

And  grow  each  hour  more  melancholy 
To  watch  thy  embers  dying  slowly  ; 
And  think,  that,  as  the  old  log  crashes, 
Both  of  our  lives  must  end  in  ashes. 

Though  still  to  thee  my  heart  shall  yearn, 
Thy  ashes  shall  adorn  no  urn, 
But,  better  far,  shall  lightly  rest 
Upon  the  earth,  thy  mother's  breast, 

And  so  enrich  the  soil  around, 
That  fruits  and  flowers  will  there  abound, 
Arid  man  upon  the  spot  shall  gaze 
With  eye  entranced  and  with  amaze. 

Then  I  will  say,  Oh,  stranger,  see 
My  monument  to  the  withered  tree. 


THE  LITTLE   STREET-SWEEPER. 

"  SUFFER  LITTLE  CHILDREN  TO  COME  UNTO  ME.' 

CLAD  in  rags, 

Tattered  and  torn, 
Hatless  and  shoeless, 

Sad  and  forlorn, 


22  soyas  OF  THE  RIXG. 


Cheerless  and  dreary 

She  sweeps  the  street, 
Now  here,  now  there, 

Beneath  horses'  feet ; 
Kunning  her  race 

From  cradle  to  tomb, 
Turning  and  twisting 

Her  worn-out  broom. 

Pause  and  gaze 

As  you  pass  her  by, 
Thin,  pale  face 

And  sunken  eye ; 
Quick  in  motion, 

Expression  wild, 
Infantile  shape, 

A  senile  child. 
Pity  her  sad 

And  lonely  condition, 
Toss  her  a  penny, 

Her  height  of  ambition. 

What  has  she  done 

That  her  fate  shoiild  be  so 
Filled  up  with  misery, 

Sorrow,  and  woe  ? 
What  did  she  do 

To  inherit  such  doom,  — 
Birth,  in  a  cellar, 

Fortune,  a  broom  ? 

Who  was  her  mother  ? 

No  one  can  tell ; 
Like  Eve  she  was  tempted, 

Like  Eve  she  fell. 


SONGS  OF  THE  EING.  23 


Who  was  her  father  ? 

God  only  knows ; 
He  in  his  time 

The  truth  will  disclose. 

Say,  is  she  human 

Flesh  and  bones, 
Or  grown  like  the  grass 

From  between  the  stones  ? 

Oh  !  she  is  human, 

Food  for  the  grave, 
Born  of  a  woman, 

A  soul  to  save. 
Do  not  despise  her, 

A  trifle  give  ; 
Like  you  she  is  struggling 

Only  to  live. 

She  is  no  mendicant ; 

See  her  now, 
Earning  her  bread 

By  the  sweat  of  her  brow. 
Had  she  been  reared 

In  luxury's  lap, 
Instead  of  offal, 

Nurtured  on  pap  ; 
Had  she  been  taught 

God's  Holy  Word, 
Instead  of  the  oaths 

She  ever  has  heard  ; 
She  might  have  been 

Of  the  chosen  few, 
And  a  great  deal  better 

Than  I  or  you. 


24  SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


She  is  a  sister 

Of  crumbling  dust. 
Give  of  your  loaf, 

She  wants  but  a  crust. 

Pity  her  sad 

And  lonely  condition, 
Give  her  a  penny, 

Her  height  of  ambition  ; 
And  the  Child  Lover 

Your  action  will  see 
Who  said  suffer  children 

To  come  unto  me. 
As  you  have  given 

To  this  lonely  one', 
Your  gift  be  recorded 

As  unto  God  done. 


THE  VIOLET. 

SPAKE  the  violet  to  herself, 

When  she  felt  the  warmth  of  spring, 
"  What  fond  memory  of  the  past 
Doth  a  ray  of  sunshine  bring. 

"I  have  slumbered  all  the  winter, 

In  a  dark  and  frozen  clod, 
Nor  have  thought,  until  to-day, 

Of  appealing  to  my  God. 


SONGS   Of  THE  RING.  25 


I  will  burst  the  earthen  fetters 

Which  have  held  me  in  their  thrall, 

And  will  feel  my  way  to  sunshine, 
As  I  on  and  upward  crawl." 

•Then  a  little  shoot  sprung  forth, 
And  did  on  and  upward  creep, 

And  while  struggling  for  the  sunshine, 
Nor  wearied  nor  did  sleep. 

But  found  itself,  one  morning, 
On  the  holiest  of  the  seven, 

In  the  glory  of  the  sunshine, 
And  gazing  up  to  heaven  ; 

When  it  grew  and  flourished  bravely, 
Watched  by  mercy  and  by  power, 

And  in  thankfulness  to  heaven, 
Bloomed  a  fair  and  lovely  flower. 


RETURN  OF  THE  BLUEBIRD. 

A  BLUEBIRD,  from  the  Sunny  South, 
Flew  North  on  hurried  wing, 

To  be  the  first  to  welcome  back, 
With  song,  the  coming  spring. 

No  blade  of  grass,  no  leaf  he  saw, 

No  hopeful  olive-branch, 
To  keep  his  heart,  like  Noah's  dove, 

In  purpose,  true  and  staunch. 

3 


26  SOXGS   OF  THE   KING, 


But  on  a  gnarled  and  leafless  tree 
He  hopped  and  twittered  long, 

And  waited  for  some  budding  sign, 
To  tune  his  voice  to  song. 

When  lo  !  he  downward  cast  his  eyes  • 

Upon  the  teeming  sod, 
And  saw  one  tender,  struggling  plant, 

Which  raised  itself  to  God. 

Then  loud  and  sweet  the  warbled  song, 

The  little  wanderer  woke, 
To  let  all  nature  know  the  sleep 

Of  nature  had  been  broke. 


THE  WEEPING  WILLOW. 

WEEPING  willow, 

Why  dost  thou  weep  ? 
Is  it  over  the  dead 

Who  beneath  thee  sleep  ? 
Or  is  it  that  thou 

Hast  lived  so  long, 
As  to  know  the  world 

And  to  see  the  wrong 
Done,  day  by  day, 

By  all  who  can 
Take  something  away 

From  his  fellow  man  ? 


SONGS   OF   THE  RING.  27 


Weeping  willow, 

Bending,  weeping, 
While  I  gaze  on  thee 

My  flesh  is  ci'eeping. 
Each  gentle  breeze, 

As  it  passes  by, 
Like  ^Eolian  harps, 

Through  thy  branches  sigh, 
Not  in  a  harsh, 

Discordant  tone, 
But  with  low  and  plaintive 

And  tender  moan, 
As  though  it  mourned 

Some  memory  past, 
And  each  sound  given 

Might  be  the  last. 

Oh  !  thou  art  a  sad 

And  sorrowful  tree, 
Companion  unfit 

For  a  man  like  me. 
I  do  not  wish 

To  have  thee  near, 
With  thy  crouching  shape 

And  quivering  fear ; 
I  love  far  more 

The  brave  old  oak, 
That  defies  the  blast  ' 

And  the  lightning-stroke  ; 
That  rears  his  head 

Aloft  on  high, 
Nor  tells  his  fear 

With  quivering  sigh, 


28  SOXGS  OF  THE  RING. 


But  sturdily  meets, 
Like  the  son  of  giants, 

The  fiercest  storm, 
With  stern  defiance. 

Oh,  weeping1  willow, 

Thy  fate  is  hard, 
By  nature  made 

For  the  dim  churchyard, 
Where  thy  yielding  twigs 

May  sadly  wave 
Over  each  old 

And  new-made  grave. 
Then  wave  thou  there, 

And  moan  and  weep 
Over  the  dead 

Who  beneath  thee  sleep. 


THE   SEARCH  FOR  PEACE. 

THE  Kabbi  Ben  Tomi  sought  for  peace, 
And  determined  he  would  dwell 

Afar  from  the  world,  at  Clover  Hill, 
In  a  hermft's  quiet  cell ;  — 

Afar  from  the  noise  and  din  of  town, 
From  ambition,  pride,  and  strife, 

Where  alone  in  peace  he  could  sit  him  down, 
To  fight  the  battle  of  life. 


SOJTGS   OF  THE   RING. 


But  he  found  that  the  pulse  of  man  still  beat, 
That  from  thought  there  was  no  release, 

And  the  pining  he  felt  for  the  world  he  left, 
Taught  solitude  was  not  peace. 

Then  to  stream  and  field  he  bade  farewell, 

And  the  angel  sought  to  meet, 
No  longer  in  woods  and  flowery  dell, 

But  in  walks  of  crowded  street. 

He  wandered  and  sauntered  and  strolled  along, 
Through  the  gay  and  laughing  and  joyous  throng, 

But  found  no  peace  was  there ; 
For  he  read  with  clear  and  searching  eye, 
In  the  mocking  smile  of  passers-by, 

The  skeleton  lines  of  care. 

Then  he  paused  and  spake  to  a  weary  child, 
Who  the  crossing  swept  and  cleaned, 

And  asked  why  at  mirth  she  never  smiled, 
And  why  on  her  broom  she  leaned  ; 

And  he  found  that  from  her  all  hope  had  fled, 

She  toiled  all  day,  but  she  wanted  bread. 

Then  he  brought  to  that  wan  and  weary  face 

A  smile  which  was  fair  to  see, 
As  a  purse  in  her  hand  he  kindly  placed, 

A  genuine  charity. 

And  the  Rabbi  Ben  Tomi  his  search  did  cease, 
For  he  found  that  in  charity  there  was  peace. 

3* 


PERFECT  PEACE. 

THERE  is  a  peace  which  far  exceeds 

All  joys  the  world  can  give  ; 
Which  by  its  perfect  stillness  leads 

The  soul  in  hope  to  live. 

A  peace  which  falls  on  throbbing  breast, 

Accepting  what  may  be, 
And  lulls  each  troubled  wave  to  rest, 

Like  moonlight  on  the  sea. 

A  peace,  which,  when  dark  clouds  shall  roll 

Along  life's  weary  way, 
Can  shed  a  light  upon  the  soul, 

And  teach  us  how  to  pray. 

A  peace  which  tells  us,  though  our  prayer 

Be  said  with  parting  breath, 
We  still  are  objects  of  God's  care, 

And  triumphs  over  death. 

That  peace,  each  day  that  I  shall  live, 

I  ask  on  bended  knee, 
In  love  and  mercy  thou  wilt  give, 

0  Lord,  mj-  God,  to  me. 

30 


OH,   WHAT  IS  LIFE  ? 

OH,  what  is  life,  that  I  should  wish 

To  linger  longer  here, 
Where  every  day  is  filled  with  doubt, 

And  every  night  with  fear  ? 

Where,  though  a  man  be  born  a  king, 

Or  live  an  abject  slave, 
He  ti*eads  a  sure  and  beaten  path, 

Which  leads  him  to  the  grave. 

While  every  moment  that  he  spends, 

Preparing  here  to  stay, 
Unfits  him  for  the  coming  time, 

When  he  must  go  away. 

Then  learn,  0  man,  to  look  to  death, 
Which  ends  this  mortal  strife, 

Not  as  a  final  foe  to  dread, 
But  as  the  birth  of  life. 


THERE  ARE  MOMENTS   IN  LIFE. 

THERE  are  moments  in  life  so  fearfully  dark, 

So  full  of  grief  and  sorrow, 
That  like  a  mariner,  tempest-tossed, 

Who  clings  to  a  sinking,  shipwrecked  bark, 
And  feels  that  all  of  his  hope  is  lost,  — 

We  dread  to  see  to-morrow. 

31 


32  soyas  OF  THE  RING. 


But  far  as  the  straining-  eye  can  reach, 
Where  the  clouds  and  wild  waves  meet, 

A  glimmering  light,  through  the  murky  night, 
Shows  a  lighthouse  upon  the  beach, 

And  the  fainting  swimmer  still  struggles  on, 

With  a  ray  of  hope  in  his  heart  forlorn. 

So  we,  when  we  faint  upon  our  way, 
And  feel  that  the  world  is  dross, 

Have  only  to  raise  our  downcast  eyes, 
And  fix  them  upon  the  cross, 

At  the  foot  of  which,  though  trouble-stranded, 

We  may  rest  in  peace,  by  mercy  landed. 

When  the  lighthouse  Keeper  will  hear  our  cry, 

Shrill  rising  above  the  wind, 
And  wrapped  in  the  mantle  of  charity, 

Which  he  wears  for  all  mankind  ; 
By  the  waves  of  trouble  washed  from  sin, 
To  the  haven  of  rest  will  take  us  in. 


LET  THE   SILVER  CORD  BE  LOOSED. 

LET  the  silver  cord  be  loosed, 

Let  the  golden  bowl  be  broke, 
For  I  weary  of  this  world, 

And  I  suffer  from  its  yoke. 
My  life  is  nought  but  vanity, 

Wherever  I  may  roam. 
Father  of  mercies,  hear  my  prayer, 

And  take  me  to  thy  home. 


SONGS   OF  THE   RING.  33 


My  days  are  full  of  sorrow, 

My  nights  are  full  of  grief, 
I  dread  to  see  the  morrow, 

For  it  brings  me  no  relief. 
And  I  see  that  all  is  vanity 

Wherever  I  may  roam  ; 
Father  of  mercies,  hear  my  prayer, 

And  take  me  to  thy  home. 

The  wild  beast  has  his  lair, 

The  eagle  has  his  nest, 
But  man  has  not  a  dwelling-place 

Where  he  can  safely  rest. 
Then  end  my  earthly  pilgrimage, 
•     Let  me  no  longer  roam, 
But  take  me,  Father,  to  thyself, 

And  keep  me  in  thy  home. 

Thy  home,  the  heaven  of  heavens, 

Where  joy  eternal  reigns, 
Where  saint  and  seraphim  exalt 

Thy  love  in  heavenly  strains  ; 
Thy  home,  where  I  shall  ever  dwell 

With  the  perfect  and  the  blest, 
Where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling, 

And  the  weary  are  at  rest. 


WHY  FEAR,   O   MAN  ? 

WHY  fear,  0  man,  though  dark  the  path, 
And  clouds  above  thee  lower, 

The  tempest  and  the  storm  are  but 
The  shadow  of  God's  power, 


34  SONGS   OF  THE 


Which  oftentimes  he  casts  before 

His  footsteps,  from  above, 
That  when  dispelled,  the  frighted  soul 

May  feel  his  power  is  love. 

The  marble  block,  when  chipped  and  torn 

Beneath  the  sculptor's  hand, 
From  being  shapeless  and  forlorn, 

An  angel  form  doth  stand, 

Which  with  a  shout  of  joy  would  praise 

The  arm  which  hammered  well, 
And  by  his  strength  and  power  had  wrought 

So  wonderful  a  spell. 

The  flower  to  which  the  winter  blast 

Long  days  of  darkness  bring, 
Beneath  the  mantle  of  the  snow, 

Is  cherished  for  the  spring. 

The  stream  whose  constant  rippling  song 

Is  stilled  by  icy  thrall, 
And  hanging  stiff  in  glittering  spars 

Around  the  waterfall, 

Beneath  God's  warm  and  loving  sun, 

From  frozen  sleep  awakes, 
And  to  its  love,  the  deep  blue  sea, 

A  fuller  offering  takes. 

Then  learn  from  nature,  patiently, 

Whate'er  thy  lot,  to  bear, 
Believing,  trusting  all  to  God, 

And  his  protecting  care. 


SONGS   OF  THE  EING.  35 


So  when  thy  scml  shall  leave  the  flesh, 

A  miserable  clod, 
Thy  spirit,  purified  by  faith, 

Shall  wing  its  way  to  God. 


THE   SOLDIER'S  REST. 

ON  a  blood-stained  fteld 

A  soldier  lay, 
He  had  fcmght  his  fight, 

He  had  won  the  day. 

The  crinkling  snow 
Was  red  with  blood, 

And  purple  ran 
The  river's  flood, 

While  through  the  trees 
The  wind  was  sighing 

A  mournful  requiem 
O'er  the  dying. 

He  heard  no  shout 

Of  victory  swell 
On  the  mountain  steep 

Or  the  snow-clad  dell, 

For  his  heart  was  far 
From  the  battle-strife, 

And  nestled  home 

With  his  child  and  wife. 


36  SONGS   Of  THE  RING. 


When  he  closed  his  eyes, 

He  saw  one  there, 
With  the  chubby  hands, 

And  the  curly  hair, 

And  the  loving  eyes 
Which  smiled  on  him, 

While  his  were  closing1, 
Glazed  and  dim. 

And>he  knew  that  the  sun 
Would  set  that  day, 

On  a  darkened  hearth 
And  a  lump  of  clay. 

With  his  fingers,  black 
From  the  smoke  and  flame, 

Wet  with  the  blood 
Which  from  him  came, 

He  brushed  the  tear 

From  his  trembling  eye, 

Which  trickling  fell, 
As  his  hour  drew  nigh. 

The  eye  of  the  past 
In  his  heart  did  stare  ; 

He  thought  of  his  mother, 
His  infant  prayer ; 

Of  now  that  I  lay  me 

Adown  to  sleep, 
I  pray  that  the  Lord 

My  soul  will  keep  ; 


SONGS   OF  THE  RINO. 


Of  our  Father  who  art 

And  ever  will  be, 
As  he  used  to  say    . 

At  his  mother's  knee  ; 

Of  Jesus  the  Saviour, 

Of  God  the  Son, 
Who,  d3ring,  cried  out, 

"Thy  will  be  done." 

And  as  weaker  he  grew 

In  the  chilling  air, 
The  faster  his  lips 

Did  move  in  prayer, 

Till  all  things  earthly 

Became  as  dross, 
And  he  saw  in  the  clouds 

A  simple  cross 

Which  rose  above 

Like  a  pillar  of  fire, 
And  led  him  to  look 

Still  higher  and  higher, 

Till  he  saw  the  bow 

Of  promise  there, 
And  he  knew  that  God 

Had  heard  his  prayer. 

Arid  he  sank  to  sleep 
On  a  Saviour's  breast, 

With  the  words,  "  I  have  found 
The  soldier's  rest." 


THE   CRUCIFIXION. 

SEE  the  Saviour  of  mankind, 
From  the  hall  of  Pilate  led  ; 

See  the  crown  of  plaited  thorns, 
Twisted  round  his  holy  head. 

See  him  climb  the  rugged  steep, 
Burdened  with  his  dreadful  cross  ; 

Tears  of  sorrow  he  doth  weep, 
Not  at  his,  but  at  man's  loss. 

See  the  scourges  on  his  back, 
See  the  harsh,  relentless  goad, 

Urging  on  his  quivering  frame, 
As  it  faints  beneath  his  load. 

See  the  mockers  and  the  scoffers 
As  around  his  cross  they  stand  ; 

See  the  agony  he  suffers, 

See  the  nail-prints  in  his  hand. 

Hear  him  pray  unto  his  Father, 
With  his  lips  of  bloodless  hue,  — 

"  Father  !  Father  !  oh,  forgive  them, 
For  they  know  not  what  they  do." 

See  him  hiding  all  his  power, 

Power  of  vengeance,  power  to  kill, 

Meekly  bearing  all  his  sorrow, 
Yielding  to  his  Father's  will. 

38 


soyas  OF  THE  RING.  39 


See  the  sadness  and  the  sorrow, 
Falling  o'er  the  heavenly  host, 

When  the  Lamb  cries,  "  It  is  finished," 
Bows  his  head,  yields  up  the  ghost. 

•Hear  the  mournful,  plaintive  echo, 
Through  the  mansions  of  the  sky, 

As  the  angels  bear  his  spirit 
To  his  Father's  throne  on  high. 

See  the  sun  his  outraged  presence 
Hide' beneath  a  veil  of  gloom, 

As  though  nature  dare  not  witness 
To  the  God  of  nature's  doom. 

Feel  the  earth  with  terror  quaking, 
See  the  graves  give  up  the  dead, 

Hear  his  cry  unto  his  Father, 
When  a  Saviour's  spirit  fled. 

Fled  from  out  his  flesh  of  suffering, 

To  eternal  thrones  on  high, 
Whence  he'll  come  in  power  and  glory, 

God,  the  judge  of  you  and  I. 

You  and  I,  who,  by  our  actions, 
Daily  done  while  in  the  flesh, 

Show  him  that  he  suffered  vainly, 
Crucify  the  Lord  afresh. 

See  the  crucifiers  shrinking, 

Filled  with  fear  and  sharp  remorse, 

Leaving  him,  their  King  and  Saviour, 
Hanging  dead  upon  the  cross. 


40  soyas  OF  THE 


On  the  cross  thenceforth  forever 

Made  the  means  of  pardoning  grace  ; 

On  the  cross  thenceforth  forever 
Stamped  upon  each  guilty  face. 

Let  me,  like  the  worn  centurion, 
Gazing  through  the  fleshly  clod, 

Seeing  but  thy  mighty  spirit, 
Feel  this  was  the  Son  of  God. 

Give  me  faith  and  trust,  0  Jesus, 

God  incarnate,  Three  in  One, 
Flying  to  thy  cross  for  refuge, 

Let  thy  will,  not  mine,  be  done. 

Let  thy  cross  my  fainting1  spirit 

Cheer,  whene'er  my  heart  grows  sadder  ; 
Let  it  be,  0  Lord,  to  me, 

Like  the  patriarch  Jacob's  ladder. 

Let  the  base  be  fimly  planted 
On  Mount  Calvary's  sacred  sod, 

And  the  topmost  round  be  resting 
On  the  mercy  of  my  God. 


FROM  THE  SEVENTH  CHAPTER  OF  ST.  LUKE. 

WHEN  she  who  at  our  Saviour's  feet 

Her  tears  repentant  shed, 
And  loving  much,  did  wipe  them  with 

The  soft  hair  of  her  head  : 


SONGS   OF  THE  RIXG. 


The  Pharisee  did  murmur  loud, 

That  such  a  sinner  dare, 
Without  reproof,  to  humbly  kneel 

In  penitential  prayer. 

But  He  who  is  the  sinner's  friend, 

Gazed  on  with  glad  emotion, 
And  let  her  clasp  his  sacred  feet 

With  sorrowful  devotion. 

And  spake  the  words  which  oft  have  healed 
The  bruised  and  breaking  heart, 

And  caused  the  light  of  happier  days 
In  memory  to  start. 

To  whom  so  little -is  forgiven, 

They  never  can  adore, 
Like  one  whose  sins  so  many  were, 

Yet  still  whose  love  was  more. 

For  this  one  act  of  faith  and  love 

Her  sins  were  all  forgiven, 
And  saved  by  faith,  she  went  in  peace, 

And  rests  with  him  in  heaven. 


CHARITY. 

1  CORINTHIANS,  CHAP.  xm. 

THOUGH  I  should  speak  as  angels  speak, 
No  use  my  words  would  be, 

If  in  my  heart  I  am  unkind, 
And  have  not  charity. 
4* 


42  SOtfGS   OF  THE   RING. 


The  charity  which  suffereth  long, 

Is  kind  and  euvieth  not ; 
The  charity  in  which  a  wrong 

Is  patiently  forgot. 

The  charity  which  beareth  all, 
Believes,  hopes,  and  endures, 

And  when  I  faint  upon  my  way, 
My  weakness  promptly  cures. 

The  simple  words  of  man  shall  cease, 

And  knowledge  pass  away, 
The  voice  of  prophecy  be  still, 
'    But  charity  will  stay. 

And  now,  faith,  hope,  and  charity 

Abide,  but  of  the  three, 
Though  all  are  great,  the  greatest  gem 

Of  these  is  charity. 


I  FEEL  THE  LORD  DOTH  BLESS. 

IN  my  worldly  success 

My  soul  is  full  of  fear, 
I  feel  the  Lord  doth  bless, 

That  his  spirit  is  near. 
God  of  omnipotence, 

Incarnate  Three  in  One, 
My  prayer  shall  ever  be, 

Thy  holy  will  be  done. 


soyas  OF  THE  KING.  43 


Oh,  soul,  while  thou  livest, 

Let  the  Lord  be  thy  stay, 
It  is  the  Lord  giveth, 

And  who  taketh  away. 
In  joy  or,  in  sorrow, 

Love  and  fear  him  the  same 
Blessed  forever  be 

The  Lord's  holy  name. 


BLESSED  ARE   THE  POOR  IN  SPIRIT. 

MATTHEW,  CHAPTER  v. 

BLESS'D  are  all  the  poor  in  spirit, 

Bless'd  are  all  the  meek, 
Bless'd  are  all  who  righteousness 

Shall  hunger  for  and  seek. 

Bless'd  are  all  the  merciful, 

They  mercy  shall  obtain, 
And  when  they  cry  unto  the  Lord, 

They  shall  not  cry  in  vain. 

Bless'd  are  all  the  pure  in  heart, 
For  when  their  path  is  trod, 

The  Father's  kingdom  shall  be  theirs, 
And  they  shall  see  their  God. 


DAUGHTER,   BE   OF   GOOD   COMFORT. 
MATTHEW,  CHAPTER  ix. 

A  WOMAN  who  had  suffered  long, 
With  sickness  none  could  cure, 

Close  to  the  feet  of  Jesus  came, 
And  touched  his  garment  pure  ; 

For  she  had  said  within  herself, 
"  Would  I  this  pain  dispel, 

Let  me  but  touch  his  garment's  hem, 
And  I'll  be  whole  and  well." 

When  Jesus  turned  around  and  saw 

The  faith  within  her  soul, 
He  said,  "  Good  comfort  be  to  thee, 

Thy  faith  has  made  thee  whole." 

And  she  who  humbly  trusted  to 
God's  mercy,  love,  and  power, 

In  her  humility  and  faith, 

Was  made  whole  from  that  hour. 
44 


LET  NOT  THY  LEFT  HAND    KNOW  WHAT 
THY  RIGHT  HAND  DOETH." 

MATTHEW,  CHAPTER  vi. 

GIYE  unto  him  that  asketh  thee, 

Turn  not  thy  face  away, 
Lest  he  who  gave  us  this  command, 

Should  heed  not  when  ye  pray. 

And  take  ye  heed  ye  do  not  give 

Your  alms  for  men  to  see, 
Or  God  will  give  you  no  reward,  — 

It  is  not  charity. 

But  when  thou  doest  any  alms,        

To  do  it  be  not  slow, 
And  what  thy  right  hand  doeth  oft, 

Thy  left  hand  should  not  know. 

Then  He  who  sees  thy  secret  heart, 

Thy  Father  and  the  Son, 
Will  openly  reward  the  deeds 

Thou  secretly  hast  done. 

45 


"THY   SINS  BE  FORGIVEN." 
MATTHKW,  CHAPTER  ix. 

To  him  who  sick  of  palsy  lay 

In  suffering  on  his  bed, 
These  words  of  comfort  for  his  faith, 

Our  blessed  Saviour  said  : 

"  Faint  not,  0  son,  be  of  good  cheer, 

Thy  sins  forgiven  be  ; 
Arise  !  take  up  thy  bed  and  walk, 

That  all  the  world  may  see." 

And  he  arose  and  went  his  way, 
A  well  man  from  that  hour, 

And  they  who  saw,  did  worship  God, 
And  glorify  his  power. 


TRUST  AND   PRAY. 

WHEN  servants  of  the  living  God 

Were  in  the  furnace  tried, 
The  God  in  whom  they  put  their  trust, 

Was  walking  by  their  side. 

46 


SOXGS   OF  THE   RIXO. 


When  to  the  banks  of  Cherith  Brook 

The  good  Elijah  fled, 
God  sent  the  ravens,  night  and  morn, 

To  bring  him  flesh  and  bread. 

When  in  the  Shunam's  darkened  house 

Elisha  knelt  in  prayer, 
And  humbly  asked  the  Lord  of  Hosts 

The  Shunam's  child  to  spare, 

The  God  of  heaven  in  pity  gazed 

Upon  the  Shunam's  wife, 
And  gave  Elisha  power  to  call 

The  dead  child  back  to  life. 

God  is  the  same  to-day  as  then, 

And  will  extend  his  care 
To  all  who  put  their  trust  in  him, 

And  call  on  him  in  prayer. 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

OUR  Father,  who  art  in  heaven, 

Hallowed  be  thy  name. 
Thy  kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done 

In  heaven  and  earth  the  same. 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread, 

Our  trespasses  forgive, 
As  we  forgive  the  trespasses 

Of  those  with  whom  we  live. 


48  SOA'GS  OF  THE  RING. 


And  keep  us  from  temptation,  Lord, 

From  evil  us  deliver, 
For  thine  the  kingdom,  power  is, 

And  glory  be  forever. 


WHEN  I  REFLECT  ON  ALL  THE  DEEDS. 

WHEN  I  reflect  on  all  the  deeds 

The  Lord  has  done  for  me, 
His  lowly  birth  and  suffering, 

His  death  upon  the  tree  ; 
I  tremble  at  the  awful  love 
To  man  below  from  God  above. 

The  God  who,  when  he  chastens  me, 
Hears  murmuring  at  my  lot ; 

The  God  who,  when  he  blesses  me, 
Is  impiously  forgot ; 

The  God  who,  in  a  moment's  wrath, 

Can  sweep  the  worm  from  out  his  path. 

Oh,  what  am  I  that  I  should  dare, 
While  grovelling  in  the  dust, 

Tonloubt  God's  wisdom  or  his  care, 
Or  falter  in  my  trust? 

Can  earthly  force  resist  God's  pow.er, 

Or  add  to  human  life  one  hour  ? 

Wherefore  in  ashes  I  repent, 

And  by  myself  abhorred, 
Will  think  all  things  are  for  the  best, 

And  trust  unto  the  Lord. 
His  every  act,  like  Job,  I'll  praise, 
That  he  may  bless  my  latter  days. 


"O  YE  OF  LITTLE  FAITH." 

0  YE  of  little  faith,  who  wish 
That  ye  had  ne'er  been  born, 

And  in  your  murmuring  reject 
The  gifts  of  God  with  scorn ; 

Behold  the  lily  of  the  field, 

The  wild  fowl  of  the  air, 
How  each  gives  evidence  to  man, 

Of  God's  paternal  care. 

How  can  you  see  the  glorious  sun 

In  golden  splendor  rise, 
And  not  thank  God,  in  gratitude, 

That  ye  were  born  with  eyes  ? 

How  can  you  listen  to  the  bird 
Which  warbles  in  the  tree, 

And  not  thank  God  that  ye  have  ears 
To  hear  his  melody  ? 

How  can  you  speak  in  pity  to 
The  dumb,  the  halt,  and  lame, 

And  not  thank  God  that,  in  his  wrath, 
He  made  you  not  the  same  ? 

The  God  of  God,  the  Light  of  Light, 

Creator  by  a  breath, 
Who  covered  all  his  glory  with 

The  gloomy  pall  of  death. 

5  49 


50  SONGS  Of  THE  RING. 


The  God  by  whom  all  things  were  made, 

Yet  counted  it  no  loss 
To  be  laid  in  a  manger, 

And  die  upon  the  cross, 

That  he  might  show  to  sinful  man, 

The  hopeless  and  forlorn, 
That  in  the  future  there  was  life 

To  all  who  had  been  born. 


"GO,  AND  SIN  NO  MORE." 
JOHN,  CHAPTER  viu. 

WHEN  she  who  had  been  found  in  sin, 

Before  the  Lord  was  brought, 
He  stooped  and  wrote  upon  the  sand, 

As  though  he  heard  not  aught ; 

And  showed  to  men  that  although  sin 

Might  be  as  clear  as  day, 
Like  traces  marked  upon  the  sand, 

It  could  be  washed  away. 

So  when  again  they  told  their  tale, 

He  spoke  in  gentle  tone,  — 
"  Let  him  who  is  without  a  sin 

First  cast  at  her  a  stone." 

And  they  which  heard,  by  conscience  struck, 

Dared  not  to  raise  a  stone, 
But  all  went  out  and  left  the  Lord, 

With  her  who  sinned,  alone. 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


Then  spake  the  Lord,  "  Where  have  they  gone, 

They  who  accused  before  ? 
They  do  not  now  condemn,  nor  I, 

Go,  thou,  and  sin  no  more." 


TO  AN  ICEBERG. 

BEAUTIFUL  iceberg,  pure  and  cold, 
Floating  along  so  graceful  and  bold, 
Messenger  from  some  unknown  sea, 
Hurrying  to  eternity. 

Formed  far  off  in  the  polar  zone, 
Where  the  footstep  of  man  is  yet  unknown, 
Spray  from  the  ocean  dashed  to  land, 
Fettered  by  Winter's  strong,  icy  hand. 

Essence  of  purity,  covered  with  snow, 
A  thing  too  pure  for  this  world  of  woe, 
Bearing  aloft  so  proud  a  crest, 
On  which  tarnish  or  stain  can  never  rest. 

Oh,  why  can  the  soul  of  man  not  be 
As  pure  as  this  gem  from  the  frozen  sea, 
Free  from  all  sorrow,  sin,  and  malice, 
Cased  by  God  in  a  crystal  palace  ? 

Fostered  in  youth  by  a  father's  care, 
Guarded  through  life  by  a  mother's  prayer, 
Still  he  is  cursed  with  the  brand  of  sin, 
False  to  his  duty  and  hollow  within. 


52  SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


Essence  of  purity  !  nought  so  pure 
In  this  world  of  ours  can  ever  endure, 
And  before  your  course  seems  half-way  run, 
You  will  shrink  and  melt  'neath  the  summer  sun. 


TO  A  MOTHER,  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  HER 
CHILD. 

THE  shaft  of  death  has  struck  its  mark, 

Thy  infant  has  been  taken, 
But  trust  thou  in  a  Saviour's  love, 

Thou  shalt  not  be  forsaken. 

To  bear  thy  early  loss, 

He  strength  to  thee  will  give  ; 

Remember  that  upon  the  cross 
He  died  that  she  might  live. 

From  sin  and  sorrow  free, 

Her  spirit  is  at  rest, 
And  gently  nestles  now  to  sleep, 

Safe  in  a  Saviour's  breast. 

Then  weep  no  more  for  one 

For  whom  to  weep  is  vain  ; 
Although  it  is  thy  earthly  loss, 

It  is  her  heavenly  gain. 


I  KNOW  THAT  MY  REDEEMER  LWETH.' 
JOB,  CHAPTER  xix. 

WHEN  all  familiar  friends  have  failed, 

And  none  a  kind  word  gives, 
I  do  not  faint,  for  well  I  know 

That  my  Redeemer  lives. 

That  at  the  latter  day  he'll  stand 

Himself  upon  the  earth, 
To  judge  of  all  the  deeds  I've  done, 

E'en  from  my  earliest  birth. 

Although  with  worms  this  form  shall  lie, 
Beneath  the  grass-grown  sod, 

Yet  in  my  flesh  it  promised  is 
That  I  shall  see  my  God. 

That  he  will  read  this  heart  aright, 

Though  sinful  it  may  be, 
And  cleanse  it  with  his  precious  blood 

Which  he  has  shed  for  me. 

Then  what  to  me  can  be  the  frown 

Which  worldly  hatred  gives, 
When  I  the  blessed  promise  have, 

That  my  Redeemer  lives. 

6*  53 


"  TRUST  YE  IN  THE  LORD  FOREVER." 
ISAIAH,  CHAPTER  xxvi,  Vs.  3,  4. 

IN  perfect  peace  thou  wilt  him  keep 

Whose  mind  on  thee  is  stayed, 
Because  his  trust  is  placed  in  thee, 
Jehovah,  Lord  of  earth  and  sea, 
And  all  that  has  been  made. 

Then  trust  ye  ever  in  the  Lord, 

This  promise  doth  he  give, 
Though  earthly  sorrows  may  be  sent, 
Meekly  to  bear  them  with  content, 

And  ye  shall  ever  live. 

A  shadow  on  your  life  may  fall 

And  fill  you  with  despair, 
But  trust  ye  in  the  Lord  of  all, 
He  answers  to  the  humblest  call 

Of  one  who  kneels  in  prayer. 

Then  trust  ye  ever  in  the  Lord, 

Trust  as  the  saints  of  old  ; 
With  peace  of  mind  ye  shall  be  blest, 
Believing  all  is  for  the  best, 

Till  ye  the  end  behold. 

54 


"JESUS,  ROCK  OF  MY  SALVATION." 

JESUS,  rock  of  my  salvation, 

Let  me  anchor  fast  to  thee, 
Lest  my  bark  of  hope  should  founder 

In  life's  dark,  tempestuous  sea  ; 
Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish 
Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 

Thou  !  my  rock  of  strength  and  refuge, 

On  thy  mercy  I  rely, 
Thou,  a  man  of  many  sorrows, 

Listen  to  my  helpless  cry  ; 
Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish, 
Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 

Thou  !  who,  walking  on  the  water, 
Bad'st  thy  servant  come  to  thee, 

Stretching  out  thy  hand  to  save  him, 
When  he  sank  beneath  the  sea ; 

Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish, 

Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 

Thou  !  who  like  a  human  brother 
Weeping  over  Lazarus'  doom, 

By  thy  mighty  power  didst  call  him 
From  his  dark  and  silent  tomb  ; 

Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish, 

Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 

55 


56  SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


Thou  !  who  sick  and  lame  didst  heal, 
Sight  unto  the  blind  didst  give, 

Suffering  on  the  shameful  cross 
That  the  eon  of  man  might  live  ; 

Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish, 

Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 

Thou  !  who  through  the  vale  of  death 
Patiently  thy  way  hast  trod, 

When  I  cross  the  shadowy  river, 
Be  thou  near  me,  Son  of  God ; 

Faith  and  trust  in  me  still  cherish, 

Save  me,  Lord,  or  I  shall  perish. 


"  CAST  THY  BREAD  UPON  THE  WATERS.' 

ECCLESIASTES  XI. 

CAST  thy  bread  upon  the  waters, 

It  will  return  to  thee, 
Of  charity  there  is  no  crumb 

Jehovah  does  not  see. 

Fear  not,  0  blind  and  selfish  man, 

Thy  bread  will  not  return, 
Because  God's  grand,  mysterious  ways 

Thy  sight  cannjot  discern. 

The  smallest  seed  which  scattered  falls, 

A  forest  may  produce, 
And  yield  a  thousand  precious  fruits 

For  God's  especial  use. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


The  tree  which  shelters  thee  from  heat, 
Whose  branches  o'er  thee  wave, 

Was  planted  by  some  tender  hand 
Now  mouldering  in  the  grave. 

Then  be  thou  not  afraid  to  cast 
Thy  bread  upon  the  waters, 

In  future  years  it  will  return 
Unto  thy  sons  and  daughters. 


I  THANK  THEE,  LORD,   FOR  EVERY  GIFT. 

I  THANK  thee,  Lord,  for  every  gift, 

Thy  tender,  loving  care, 
And  in  acknowledgment  I  lift 

My  voice  to  thee  in  prayer. 

I  thank  thee  for  the  mother's  love 
Which  blessed  my  infant  days, 

And  taught  my  heart  to  rise  above, 
In  songs  of  grateful  praise. 

I  thank  thee  for  the  gentle  wife 

Thou  gavest  unto  me, 
Who  filled  a  long  and  chequered  life 

With  songs  of  harmony. 

I  thank  thee  for  our  children  sent, 
Which,  like  thy  faithful  dove, 

Have  bound  our  hearts  together  with 
The  olive  branch  of  love. 


58  SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


I  thank  thee  for  the  many  friends, 

That  in  my  darkest  day, 
Have  shed  the  light  of  sympathy 

Upon  life's  weary  way. 

I  thank  thee  for  the  troubles  sent, 
The  lessons  they  have  taught, 

And  feel  that  every  act  of  thine 
With  mercy  has  been  fraught. 

And  pray  my  heart  may  faithful  be, 
So  when  my  course  is  run, 

I  may  not  shrink,  but  welcome  thee, 
And  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done." 


THE  WISDOM  OF  KING  DAVID. 

1  CHRONICLES,  CHAPTER  21. 


Satan  provoked  great  King  David 
To  do  what  Jehovah  abhorred, 
His  prophet  proclaimed  to  the  king, 
The  anger  and  words  of  the  Lord. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  —  "  Choose  thee  either 
A  famine  for  three  years  to  reign, 

During  which  all  the  people  of  Israel 
Shall  suffer  for  water  and  grain  ; 

"  Or  three  months  tormented  by  foes, 

Overtaken  by  fire  and  sword, 
Left  alone  in  thine  enemies'  hands, 

Unhelped  by  thy  Master,  the  Lord  ; 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING.  59 


Or  else  God's  destroying  angel, 

For  three  days  throughout  all  the  land, 

Carrying  death  and  the  pestilence  with  him, 
The  sword  of  the  Lord  in  his  hand." 

Then  answered  the  king  unto  Gad, 
"  I  have  sinned  and  am  in  a  sad  strait, 

Let  me  fall  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
For  I  know  that  his  mercies  are  great. 

"  But  let  me  not  fall  in  the  hand 
Of  man,  I  beseech  thee,  0  Lord  ; 

I  rather  would  trust  to  thy  angel, 
The  pestilence  and  the  sword." 


THE   VICTORY  OF  KING  ASA. 
2  CHRONICLES,  CHAPTER  xiv. 

THE  Ethiop  came  out  in  his  pomp  and  pride, 

With  a  thousand  thousand  men, 
And  warriors  in  gilded  chariots  ride 

Through  Zephathah's  peaceful  glen. 

The  tramp  of  his  foot  through  the  forest  sounds, 
Like  waves  on  the  rock-bound  coast, 

And   the  grass   lies   crushed  and  dead   on  the 

ground, 
Trod  down  by  the  mighty  host. 

The  vulture  soars  stately  above  the  cliff, 

The  jackal  and  beasts  of  prey 
Creep  after  his  track,  for  afar  they  sniff 

The  feast  they  will  have  next  day. 


60  SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


Round  the  watchfire's  glare  all  the  Ethiop  host 

Are  revelling  loud  and  long, 
And  the  forest  echoes  the  conquering  boast, 

The  shout  and  the  heathen  song. 

The  moon  and  the  quiet  stars  look  down 

In  King  Zerah's  silken  tent, 
Where  his  minstrel  plays  on  his  harp,  to  drown 

His  moments  in  merriment. 

Then  again,  in  a  camp,  the  pate  moon  steals 

One  ray  in  a  royal  tent, 
Where  Asa,  the  King  of  Judah,  kneels, 

A  rev'rent  suppliant  bent. 

And  bright  angels  hover  above  the  king, 
As  he  breathes  his  fervent  prayer 

To  the  God  of  battles,  beneath  his  wing 
To  keep  him  in  tender  care. 

The  prayer  of  King  Asa  is  borne  on  high, 

To  the  throne  of  Judah's  Lord, 
Who  frowns,  and  shadows  across  the  sky, 

Envelop  the  Ethiop  horde. 

King  Zerah,  smitten  with  panic  and  fear, 

In  darkness  and  gloom  has  fled, 
And  the  dawn  shows  Asa  no  foe  is  near, 

Save  the  dying  and  the  dead. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  KING  ASA. 
2  CHRONICLES,  CHAPTER  xiv  . 

0  LORD,  it  is  nought  with  thee  to  help 

Whether  with  many  or  few  ; 
Thy  glance  can  scatter  the  heathen  host, 

As  the  sun  melts  glist'ning  dew. 

0  Lord,  in  our  strength  we  do  not  boast, 
But  cry,  help  !  on  bended  knee, 

And  marching  against  the  mighty  host, 
We  rest,  0  Lord,  on  thee. 

Thou  God  of  our  fathers,  be  the  same 

To  thy  children  in  this  vale, 
And  against  us,  Lord,  who  this  day  fight, 

Lord,  let  not  man  prevail. 


"BE  YE   STRONG." 

2  CHRONICLES,  CHAPTER  xv,  VERSE  7. 

BE  ye  strong,  therefore,  and  let  not  your  hands 

In  labor  and  love  be  weak  ; 
In  the  battle  of  life,  one  who  quietly  stands, 

Neither  glory  nor  profit  can  seek. 

But  ye  who  work  patiently,  ever  in  hope, 

By  obstacles  never  retarded, 
With  fate  and  with  fortune  are  fitted  to  cope, 

And  your  work  will  be  surely  rewarded. 
6  61 


THE  PUNISHMENT  OF  UZZIAH. 
2  CHRONICLES,  CHAPTER  xxvi. 

IN  the  kingdom  of  Judah,  Uzziah  was  king, 

On  his  head  was  the  crown,  on  his  hand  was  the 

ring, 

Which  the  false  Amaziah,  his  father,  had  worn 
In   his   prosperous  days,   ere   the  Lord   he  did 

scorn. 

In  the  kingdom  of  Judah,  Uzziah  was  king, 
And  jewels  and  gold  the  Ammonites  bring ; 
His  power  increased  and  his  fame  spread  abroad, 
Because  he  did  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 

As  long  as  Uzziah,  of  pious  accord, 

Bowed  not  to  false  idols,  but  worshipped  the 

Lord, 

Every  act  of  his  life  God  did  prosper  and  thrive, 
And,    vanquished   before  him,  the   heathen   did 

drive. 

He  fortified  towns,  he  made  himself  strong, 
To  punish  whoever  should  do  him  a  wrong ; 
To  the  kingdom  of  Judah  he  Eloth  restored, 
And  he  conquered  the  Arab  by  help  of  the  Lord. 

But  when  he  was  strong  he  was  puffed  up  with 

pride, 
He  forgot  it  was  God  who  had  fought  on  his 

side, 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING.  63 


And  his  weak  heart  so  proudly  and  loftily  soared, 
That  he  thought  to  despise  the  commands  of  the 
Lord. 

In  the  temple  of  God  he  dared  incense  to  burn, 
The  priest  of  the  Lord  he  did  impiously  spurn, 
And  before  the  high  altar  made  strife  and  dis 
cord, 
In  the  holy  of  holies,  the  House  of  the  Lord. 

King  Uzziah  was  wroth  ;  in  his  anger  he  dared 
To  resist  God,  who  long  in  his  mercy  had  spared, 
When,  lo  !  on  his  forehead  appeared  a  white  spot, 
Placed  there  by  the  hand  of  the  God  he  forgot. 

Uzziah,  in  sorrow,  bowed  low  to  the  rod, 
A  leper  he  went  from  the  temple  of  God ; 
His  sceptre  is  broken,  his  friends  all  have  fled, 
And  his  throne  is  a  stranger's,  who  reigns  in  his 
stead. 


FROM    DEUTERONOMY. 

CHAPTER  xxiv,  VEKSES  19,  20,  21. 

WHEN  thou  thy  harvest-field  shalt  reap, 

And  hast  forgot  a  sheaf, 
Go  not  again  to  bear  it  off, 

But  leave  it  for  relief 
Of  some  poor  stranger,  who  in  prayer, 
Will  recommend  thee  to  God's  care. 

When  thou  thy  olive  tree  shalt  beat, 
Thou  shalt  not  strike  again  ; 


64  SO^GS  OF  THE  EINQ. 


The  bough  that  thou  hast  beaten  once, 

Untouched  it  shall  remain, 
For  some  poor  orphan,  who  in  prayer, 
Will  recommend  thee  to  God's  care. 

When  in  thy  vineyard  thou  shalt  pluck 

The  finest  of  thy  fruit, 
Leave  thou,  in  charity,  the  bunch 

Which  clusters  near  the  root, 
For  some  poor  widow,  who  in  prayer, 
Will  recommend  thee  to  God's  care. 

If  this  thou  doest  thou  wilt  show 
How  thou  dost  love  thy  neighbor, 

And  God  who  doth  all  secrets  know, 
Will  bless  thy  work  and  labor, 

And  hearken  to  thy  neighbor's  prayer, 

Which  recommends  thee  to  his  care. 


FROM  JOB. 
CHAPTER  xxin,  VERSES  3,  4. 

OH  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find 
Jehovah's  awful  judgment  seat, 

That  I  might  humbly  plead  my  cause, 
And  cast  my  burden  at  his  feet. 

I  know  he  would  not  answer  me, 
Or  turn  away  in  slighting  scorn, 

But  in  his  mercy,  strength  would  give, 
To  one  so  helpless  and  forlorn. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


I  gaze,  as  far  as  eye  can  reach, 
Around  my  path,  in  dim  despair, 

But  every  step  to  me  doth  teach 
Some  lesson  of  God's  care  ;  — 

That  all  my  ways  are  in  his  hand, 
That  he  himself  appoints  my  fate, 

And  though  I  fear,  yet  will  I  stand, 
And  on  his  time  and  mercy  wait. 


"HE  FEEDETH  ON  ASHES." 
ISAIAH,  CHAPTER  XLIV,  V.  20. 

HE  feeds  on  ashes  who  forgets 
The  Lord  the  God  most  high, 

And  on  some  earthly  idol  sets 
Fond  hopes  which  soon  must  die. 

Bright  hopes  which  often  on  our  way 
Like  vivid  lightning  flashes, 

And  show  us  by  a  fleeting  ray, 
0  man  !  we  feed  on  ashes. 

The  pleasure  of  our  life  is  vain, 
A  friend  may  prove  an  adder  ; 

Though  earthly  glory  we  attain, 
We  find  it  but  a  shadow. 

The  race  we  run  and  hope  to  win 
With  others'  interest  clashes, 

And  at  the  end  we  first  begin 
To  find  we  feed  on  ashes. 
6* 


66  SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


And  when  upon  us  age  shall  creep, 
And  dim  shall  grow  the  eye, 

When  over  wasted  time  we  weep, 
And  sorrowing  we  shall  sigh, 

Kemember  there  is  One  who  yearns 
To  save,  —  the  mighty  Planner, 

Who  in  his  mercy  kindly  turns 
Life's  ashes  into  manna. 


TO  WHOM,  THEN,  WILL  YE  LIKEN  GOD  ? " 
ISAIAH,  CHAPTER  XL,  V.  18. 

I  KNOW  not,  Lord,  what  thou  art  like, 

My  mind  is  far  too  base 
.To  contemplate  thy  form  divine, 
Or  thy  celestial  face. 

I  see  thee  in  thy  mighty  works, 

I  feel  that  thou  art  God, 
Whether  to  heaven  I  lift  my  eyes, 

Or  bend  them  to  the  sod. 

The  wide-spread  curtains  of  the  dawn 

The  robes  of  night  displace, 
And  Nature  in  her  loveliness, 

Reveals  to  me  thy  face  ; 

Not  only  in  the  rising  sun, 

The  heavens,  thjc  earth,  the  sea, 

But  in  the  smallest  creeping  thing, 
And  leaf  upon  the  tree. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


The  thunder-peal,  the  lightning  flash, 
The  whirlwind  and  the  storm, 

Reveal  to  me  that  thou  art  near, 
In  power,  if  not  in  form. 

The  tender  blade  of  grass  I  crush, 
While  thoughtless  I  may  stand, 

Shows  more  than  superhuman  skill, 
And  there  I  see  thy  hand. 

No  space  so  vast  thou  canst  not  fill, 

No  roof  so  low  but  there 
Thy  mighty  spirit  bows  itself, 

When  humbly  asked  in  prayer. 

Thy  shape,  0  God  of  gods,  is  light, 

The  light  below,  above, 
And  by  that  light  I  see  and  know 

Thy  spirit,  —  God  is  love. 

And  in  the  thankfulness  I  feel 

To  sing  and  to  rejoice  ; 
My  heart  says,  man,  thou  list'nest  now 

Unto  thy  Maker's  voice. 


FROM  ISAIAH. 
CHAPTER  XL,  Vs.  28,  29. 

HAST  thou  not  known,  hast  thou  not  heard 
That  God  the  Lord  Most  High 

Created  all  things  by  his  word, 
And  watches  with'  his  eye  ? 


68  SO^GS   OF  THE  KINO. 


The  waters  which  he  measured  in 

The  hollow  of  his  hand, 
The  mountains  which  he  weighed  in  scales, 

The  dwellers  in  his  land. 

He  wearieth  not,  he  fainteth  not, 

His  eye  doth  never  sleep, 
But,  like  a  shepherd,  tender  watch 

O'er  all  his  flock  doth  keep. 

He  giveth  power  unto  the  faint, 

Unto  the  weary,  strength, 
And  when  their  days  are  almost  spent, 

He  adds  unto  their  length. 

That  they  shall  soar  on  eagles'  wings, 

Shall  run  and  not  be  weary, 
And  on  their  journey  never  faint, 

Nor  find  it  dark  or  dreary. 


FROM  PROVERBS. 

As  the  bird  by  wandering,  as  the  swallow  by  flying,  BO  the  curse 
causeless  shall  not  come.  —  PUOVKRBS  xxvi:  2. 

THE  causeless  curse  can  do  no  harm, 

No  matter  where  'tis  from  ; 
'Twill  find  at  last  its  resting-place, 

From  whence  it  first  has  come. 

As  sure  as  wandering  bird  which  flies 

At  daylight  to  the  west, 
Before  the  evening  star  appears, 

Returns  unto  her  nest ; 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


As  sure  as  swallow,  winter  scared, 

Flies  far  to  gentler  clime, 
As  sure  as  he,  with  hurried  wing, 

Returns  in  summer  time  ;  • 

So  sure  the  causeless  curse  shall  come 

Again  unto  its  source, 
And  fill  the  soul  which  uttered  it, 

With  sorrow  and  remorse. 


FROM  PROVERBS. 
CHAPTER  xm,  V.  7. 

THERE  is  a  man  who  stints  himself, 

Who  sacrifices  health, 
Who  saves  each  penny  that  he  gains, 

And  thinks  that  he  has  wealth. 

But  when  upon  his  couch  he  lies, 
Arid  Death  shall  by  him  stand, 

He  feels  he  nothing  has  on  earth 
Except  six  feet  of  land. 

And  o'er  the  labor  he  has  wrought, 

In  sadness  he  doth  grieve, 
That  in  the  world  he  nothing  brought, 

And  all  behind  must  leave.        „ 

There  is  a  man  who  giveth  oft, 
And  worldlings  say  is  poor  ; 

Who  never  turns  his  face  away 
From  suffering  at  his  door. 


70  SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


Yet  in  his  heart  he  riches  hath, 
Which  they  can  never  know, 

Who  cast  no  sunlight  on  the  path 
Of  misery  and  woe. 

And  when  Death  comes  to  him,  he'll  be 

A  messenger  of  love, 
For  all  his  riches  are  not  here, 

But  treasured  up  above. 


FROM  ISAIAH. 
CHAPTER  xxxn,  V.  7. 

BEHOLD  in  righteousness  a  king 

Forever  blest  shall  reign, 
His  feet  shall  trample  time  and  death, 

His  glory  never  wane. 

This  king  shall  he  a  hiding-place, 
From  tempest  and  from  wind, 

A  covert  where  can  safely  dwell 
The  outcast  of  mankind. 

As  is  the  shadow  of  a  rock 

In  some  sad,  weary  land, 
To  one  who  faints,  so  shall  this  king 

A,  rock  of  refuge  stand. 

As  is  the  stream  to  one  who  thirsts, 
In  some  dry,  desert  place, 

So  shall  this  king  a  fountain  be, 
Of  righteousness  and  grace. 


"IF  YE  HAVE  FAITH  AND  DOUBT  NOT." 

ST.  MATTHEW,  CHAPTER  xxi,  Vs.  21,  22. 

WHY  should  I  doubt  when  I  have  heard 
The  things  that  thou  hast  done  ? 

Why  should  I  doubt  when  I  believe 
Thou  art  the  Father's  Son  ? 

Why  should  I  doubt  when  well  I  know 
Thou  art  the  Word  which  spoke, 

And  o'er  a  dark,  chaotic  void 
The  light  from  darkness  broke  ? 

Why  should  I  doubt  when  earth  and  sea 
Were  formed  at  thy  command, 

And  in  thine  image  man  was  made, 
The  creature  of  thy  hand  ? 

Why  should  I  doubt,  since  thou  didst  speak 

To  Moses,  on  the  mount  ? 
Why  should  I  doubt,  since  thou  didst  make 

A  barren  rock  a  fount  ? 

Why  should  I  doubt,  Lord,  when  I  know 

The  blind  were  made  to  see, 
And  that  the  lame  were  made  to  walk, 

0  Son  of  God,  by  thee  ? 

I  do  not  doubt,  but  I  believe, 

That  if  I  called  on  thee, 
By  faith  a  mountain  I  could  move, 

And  cast  it  in  the  sea. 

71 


f  2  SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


I  do  not  doubt,  Lord,  I  believe, 

Relying  on  thy  care, 
That  all  1  ask  I  shall  receive, 

By  trusting  faith  and  prayer. 


STEPHEN  BEFORE  THE  COUNCIL. 

BEFORE  the  council  Stephen  stood, 

A  man  of  faith  and  power, 
Nor  feared  the  haughty,  steadfast  gaze 

His  judges  on  him  lower. 

His  countenance  illumined  with 

The  light  of  heavenly  grace, 
Shone  on  the  darkened  hall  as  though 

It  were  an  angel's  face. 

Then  spake  he  —  "  Men  and  brethren,  hear, 

The  Lord,  the  God  most  high, 
Who  dwelleth  not  in  temples, 

But  dwells  beyond  the  sky. 

"  The  God  whose  throne  is  heaven, 

Whose  footstool  is  the  earth, 
Who  deigned  to  watch  o'er  Moses, 

To  manhood,  from  his  birth. 

"  Whose  hand  made  all  these  things, 

And  many  deeds  have  done, 
For  you  who  have  betrayed  and  killed 

The  holy  and  just  One. 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


"  For  you  who  have  received  the  Lord, 

The  Lord  have  never  kept ; 
For  you  to  whom  he  sent  his  Son, 

Who  for  your  sins  has  wept. 

"  Behold  !  the  heavens  open  wide, 

And  lo  !  the  Son  doth  stand  ; 
I  see  him  clothed  in  glory, 

Beside  God's  strong  right  hand." 

Then  they  who  heard  him,  loudly  cried, 

With  angry  voice  and  shout, 
And  from  the  hall  of  judgment 

They  roughly  cast  him  out ; 

And  stoned  him  as  he  cried  aloud, 
"  Why  will  ye  not  believe  ?  " 

And  calling  out,  in  earnest  prayer, 
"My  spirit,  Lord,  receive." 

Then  kneeling  down,  as  though  to  die 

For  Christ,  he  did  rejoice  ; 
"Lay  not  this  sin,  Lord,  to  their  charge," 

He  cried,  with  fainting  voice. 

And  full  of  faith,  that  God  the  just 
A  watch  o'er  him  would  keep  ; 

Without  a  murmur  at  their  sin, 
In  Jesus  fell  asleep. 


THE   PREACHER. 

THE  thing  that  has  been  is  that  which  shall  be, 
And  that  which  is  done  shall  be  done  : 

Of  all  the  strange  things  that  we  hear  of  and  see, 
There  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun. 

In  wisdom  I  found  there  was  mingled  much  grief, 
In  knowledge  an  increase  of  sorrow, 

For  vexation  of  spirit  I  found  no  relief, 
And  I  knew  not  the  things  of  to-morrow. 

I   communed   with   my   heart,    and  in   solitude 
said, 

What  use,  man,  to  build  or  to  rear  ? 
In  a  moment  the  hopes  of  a  lifetime  have  fled, 

And  all  is  but  vanity  here. 

0  heart,  I  will  prove  thee  with  joy  and  mirth, 
Therefore  now  enjoy  thy  pleasure  ; 

1  found  that  of  laughter  there  soon  was  a  dearth, 

And  vanity  filled  up  the  measure. 

The  red  wine  I  drained  to  the  dregs  in  the  chal 
ice, 

And  mingled  my  wisdom  with  folly, 
My  orgies  and  revels,  in  hovel  or  palace, 

But  saddened  and  made  melancholy. 

I  gathered  together  much  silver  and  gold, 
And  heaped  up  a  mountain  of  treasure, 

74 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING.  75 


But  where  was  the  profit  ?  I  daily  grew  old, 
And  labored  for  some  stranger's  pleasure. 

Vanity  of  vanities  !  all  life  is  vain, 
Though  wisdom  or  wealth  we  inherit ; 

From  all  of  our  labor  no  profit  we  gain, 
And  all  is  vexation  of  spirit. 

All  the  days  of  a  man  are  but  sorrow  and  grief, 
And  his  heart  hath  no  rest  in  the  night ; 

His  wealth  and  his  wisdom  can  bring  no  relief, 
For  they  pass  away  soon  from  his  sight. 

Then  I  said  it  is  better  to  eat  and  to  drink, 

And  enjoy  the  good  of  our  labor, 
And  while  we  are  living,  of  others  to  think, 

And  cheerfully  give  to  our  neighbor. 

As  the  fowl  of  the  air,  as  the  beast  of  the  field, 

So  man  is  appointed  to  die, 

And  to  death  all  his  riches  and  wisdom  must 
yield, 

And  his  breath  pass  away  like  a  sigh. 

From  dust  all  have  come,  both  the  man  and  the 

beast, 

To  the  dust  of  the  earth  all  return, 
And  the  worm  on  each  carcass  shall  revel  and 

feast, 
Nor  the  difference  between  them  discern. 

But  the  spirit  of  man  soareth  upward  on  high, 

And  feels  that  he  has  a  new  birth, 
And  enraptured  looks  down  from  his  home  in  the 
sky, 

To  his  flesh  lying  dead  in  the  earth. 


"REMEMBER  THY  CREATOR." 

ECCLESIASTES,  CHAPTER  XII. 

REMEMBER  thy  Lord  in  the  days  of  thy  youth, 
While  thy  heart  is  still  pure  and   alive   to  the 

truth, 
Ere  old  age  shall  creep  on  and  the  years  shall 

draw  nigh, 

When  to  look  back  on  life  is  to  sorrow  and  sigh, 
That  thy  mirth   and  thy  joys,   thy   riches   and 

treasure, 

Are  all  in  the  past  and  afford  thee  no  pleasure  ; 
That  the  gold  of  thy  life  has  been  mixed  with 

alloy, 
And  thy  work,  for  a  stranger  to  thee  to  enjoy. 

In  the  days  of  thy  youth,  when  thy  hopes  are  all 

bright, 
And  the  sun  and  the  moon  on  thy  path  shed  their 

light, 

Ere  a  cloud  has  arisen  to  darken  thy  way, 
Or  a  streamlet  been  swollen  thy  footsteps  to  stay  ; 
Ere  all  thy  desire  for  pleasure  shall  fail, 
And  thy  song  shall  be  nought  but  a  cry  and  a 

wail ; 

Ere  the  mourners  shall  follow  a  man  to  his  grave, 
And  over  thy  tombstone  the  willow  shall  wave. 

76 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING. 


Ere  the  Voice  which  created,  His  fiat  has  spoken, 
The  pitcher  of  life  at  the  fountain  be  broken, 
Ere  the   golden  bowl   break   at   the  foot  of  the 

hill, 
And  the  wheel  at  the  cistern  stand  useless  and 

still, 

Or  ever  be  parted  the  soul's  silver  cord, 
At  the  touch  of  its  Maker,  Jehovah  the  Lord, 
And  the  dust  thou  art  made  of  return   to  the 

same, 
And  the  spirit  ascend  to  the  God  whence  it  came. 


BOAST  NOT    THYSELF   OF  TO-MORROW.' 
PROVERBS,  CHAPTER  xxvn,  V.  1. 

BOAST  not  thyself  of  to-morrow, 
Thou  knowest  not  what  it  may  be, 

Whether  a  day  of  sorrow, 
Or  day  of  pleasure  to  thee. 

The  sun  very  often  has  set 

In  a  glorious  golden  light, 
But  clouds  when  the  morning  dawned, 

Have  concealed  him  from  thy  sight. 

To-day  thy  path  may  be  strewn 
With  roses  on  which  to  tread, 

To-morrow  sharp  thorns  appear, 

And  the  flowers  lie  crushed  and  dead. 

Then  boast  not  thyself  of  to-morrow, 

Live  thou  alone  for  to-day, 
Pray  Heaven  to  keep  off  sorrow, 

And  to  lead  thee  on  thy  way. 
7* 


"ALL  FLESH  IS  GRASS." 
ISAIAH  XL. 

'Mm  lightning  flash  and  thunder  peal, 

Jehovah,  the  Most  High, 
Has  whispered,  in  a  spirit  voice, 

Unto  Isaiah —  "  Cry." 

The  prophet  felt  the  still  small  voice, 

And  kneeling  did  reply, 
"  0  Thou,  whose  whisper  quells  the  storm, 

Reveal  what  I  shall  cry." 

"  All  flesh  is  grass,  all  flesh  is  grass, 

No  harvest  can  it  yield  ; 
The  glory  of  it  all  shall  pass, 

Like  flowers  of  the  field. 

"  The  grass  in  summer  time  shall  droop, 
The  brightest  flower  shall  die, 

Because  the  spirit  of  the  Lord 
Has  doomed  it  passing  by. 

"  But  though  the  grass  so  withereth, 

The  flower  so  fade  away, 
The  Word  of  God,  the  Lord  of  all, 

Shall  stand  '  till  judgment  day.'  " 

78 


A  MAN  THAT  HATH  FRIENDS  MUST  SHOW 
HIMSELF  FRIENDLY." 

PROVERBS  xvm,  V.  24. 

WOULD'ST  thou,  0  man,  win  many  friends 

And  in  contentment  live, 
Show  thou  thyself  a  friend  to  be, 

And  not  afraid  to  give. 

There  is  a  Friend  who  closer  sticks 

Than  any  earthly  brother  ; 
Who  never  fails  to  help  the  man 

That  giveth  to  another. 

Who  pity  hath  upon  the  poor, 

Unto  the  Lord  doth  lend, 
And  by  his  charity  will  win 

Jehovah  for  his  friend. 

Jehovah,  who  will  sevenfold 

Repay  all  that  is  given, 
By  happiness  while  living  here, 

And  happiness  in  heaven. 

79 


PRAYER  OF  AGUR. 
PKOVEBBS,  CHAP.  xxx. 

0  GOD,  of  whom  each  word  is  pure, 

Whose  every  act  is  just, 
Be  thou  my  buckler  and  my  shield, 

In  thee  I  put  my  trust. 

Remove  far  from  me  vanity, 
Lest  I  perchance  grow  proud, 

And  in'my  worldliness  forget 
The  tombstone  and  the  shroud. 

Give  me  not  riches  in  excess, 
Lest  I  should  grow  o'erfed, 

And  in  my  pride  forget  to  say 
Give  me  my  daily  bread. 

Nor  give  me  povert3r,  my  God, 
Lest  I  too  poor  should  feel, 

And  take  thy  holy  Name  in  vain, 
Or  in  temptation  steal. 

But  keep  me  in  contentment,  Lord, 

From  every  evil  thing, 
And  let  me  rest  in  peace  beneath 

The  shadow  of  thy  wing. 

80 


FATHER  OF  MERCIES. 

FATHER  of  mercies,  thy  almighty  will 
In  heaven  and  earth  be  done  ; 

Thou  spakest  and  the  storm  was  still ; 
And  stayed  the  fiery  sun. 

Long  before  Abraham  was 

Thou  wast,  the  great  "  I  am/' 

Jehovah,  Father,  Son, 
Immanuel,  the  Lamb. 


PRAYER  OF  HABAKKUK. 

0  LORD,  I  have  heard  thy  voice, 
And  I  trembled  in  my  fears  ; 

0  Lord,  revive  thy  work 

In  the  midst  of  the  fleeting  years. 

In  wrath  remember  mercy, 

Spare  thou  thy  chastening  rod, 

Crush  me  not  with  thy  power, 
But  save  me  by  it,  my  God. 

From  the  desert  of  Teman  God  came, 
From  Mount  Paran  the  Holy  One  ; 

His  glory  covered  the  heavens, 
And  his  brightness  was  the  sun. 

81 


82  SONGS  OF  THE  KING. 


He  had  horns  coming  out  of  his  hands, 
Before  him  the  wicked  did  cower, 

In  wrath  he  remembered  mercy, 
And  there  was  the  hiding  of  power. 

Before  him  the  pestilence  went, 

Burning  coals  came  forth  at  his  feet ; 

He  stood  and  measured  the  earth, 
At  his  voice  the  wild  waves  retreat. 

He  scattered  the  mountains  asunder, 

The  perpetual  hills  did  bow; 
His  ways  are  for  everlasting, 

Before  the  world  was  as  now. 

Thou  didst  cleave  the  trembling  earth 
With  a  glance  of  thy  burning  eye  ; 

The  Deep  uttered  loud  his  voice, 
And  lifted  his  hands  on  high. 

The  sun  and  the  moon  stood  still, 

At  the  light  of  thine  arrows  they  went ; 

And  the  glittering  of  thy  spear 
Illumined  the  firmament. 

Thou  didst  march  through  the  land  in  anger, 
With  thy  horses  didst  walk  the  wave ; 

Thou  didst  hide  the  might  of  thy  power 
By  punishing  only  to  save. 

At  the  sound  of  thy  voice  I  trembled, 
My  lips  quivered  weak  with  fear, 

That  I,  in  the  day  of  trouble, 
Might  call  and  thou  not  be  near. 


SOATGS  OF  THE  EING.  83 


Though  the  fig-tree  refuse  to  blossom, 
And  no  fruit  shall  be  on  the  vine, 

Though  the  flock  may  forsake  the  fold, 
Still,  my  Lord,  I  will  not  repine. 

The  Lord  my  God  is  my  strength, 
To  his  servant  he  ever  is  kind, 

He  will  cause  me  to  walk  in  high  places, 
With  feet  like  the  feet  of  the  hind. 

In  the  Lord  I  will  ever  rejoice, 
In  the  God  of  salvation  have  joy, 

And  praising  my  Lord  and  my  God, 
My  heart  and  my  voice  will  employ. 


PSALM  IV. 

DARK  clouds  may  make  the  pathway  night, 

And  muttering  thunder  roll, 
The  lightning  flash  may  blind  the  sight 

And  fill  with  fear  the  soul. 

But  I  will  lay  me  down  in  peace, 

And  trustfully  will  sleep, 
For  thou,  Lord,  wilt  my  fears  release, 

And  me  in  safety  keep. 


THE  BLESSINGS  OF  OBEDIENCE  TO  GOD. 

DEUTERONOMY,  CHAPTER  xxvin. 

IF  thou  wilt  hearken  to  the  voice 
Of  God  the  Lord  Most  High, 

In  all  thy  work  thou  shalt  rejoice, 
And  God  be  ever  nigh. 

Of  blessings  all  these  shall  be  thine, 

If  thou  by  night  and  day 
Wilt  hearken  to  thy  Maker's  voice, 

And  his  commands  obey. 

The  ground  to  thee  shall  yield  its  fruit, 

Thy  cattle  shall  increase, 
And  all  thy  days  shall  blessed  be, 

In  plenteousness  and  peace. 

The  Lord  shall  riches  give  to  thee, 

Shall  rain  upon  thy  land, 
And  in  each  season  he  will  bless 

The  labor  of  thy  hand. 

Thou  health  shalt  have  and  means  to  lend, 
Thou  shalt  not  need  to  borrow  ; 

In  pleasure  every  day  shall  end, 
And  thou  shalt  know  no  sorrow. 

84 


THE  ANGEL   CHILD. 

MID  the  bustle  and  the  strife 
Of  the  noisy  walks  of  life, 
I  pause  arid  think,  my  wife, 

Of  our  angel  child. 

He  came  but  for  a  day, 
No  longer  could  he  stay, 
Then  sadly  went  away, 

Our  angel  child. 

When  his  empty  crib  I  see, 
Where  we  used  to  bend  the  knee, 
And  pray,  0  God,  to  thee, 

For  our  child, 

I  feel  the  tear-drops  start, 
And  a  sorrow  at  my  heart, 
That  we  are  far  apart, 

My  angel  child. 

But  I  know  thou  art  at  rest,     - 
In  the  mansion  of  the  blest, 
Where  children  are  caressed, 
My  angel  child. 

By  the  God  from  heaven  exiled, 
Who  in  love  and  mercy  smiled 
On  children  undefiled, 

My  angel  child. 

8  85 


86  SOXGS  OF  THE  RING. 


So  I  see  thy  shoes  and  socks, 
And  thy  little  toy  box, 
And  thy  severed  golden  locks, 
My  angel  child. 

And  though  bitter  tears  may  start, 
I  still  my  aching  heart 
By  the  calming  thought,  thou  art 
An  angel  child. 


THE   GOODNESS  OF   GOD. 
PSALM  vm. 

WHEN  I  consider  all  Thy  works, 

And,  all  thy  wisdom  scan, 
I  wonder  thou  hast  done  so  much 

For  such  a  worm  as  man. 

I  pause  in  wonder,  and  I  ask, 

Lord,  what  is  man  to  thee, 
That  thou  to  him  should'st  be  so  kind, 

Of  him  so  mindful  be  ? 

For  thou  hast  made  him  scarcely  less 
Than  angels  round  thy  throne, 

And,  by  thy  hand,  created  him 
In  image  of  thy  own. 

All  beast,  and  fowl,  and  fish,  to  him, 
Thou  gavest,  Lord,  for  meat, 

And  all  the  great  works  of  thy  hand, 
Hast  placed  beneath  his  feet. 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING.  87 


0  Lord,  our  God,  I  wonder  why, 

For  man,  so  little  worth, 
Thart  thou  shouldst  waste  a  thought  on  him, 

While  creeping  on  the  earth. 


THE  LORD  IS  MY  SHEPHERD.1 
PSALM  xxm. 

THE  Lord  is  my  Shepherd, 

He  always  is  near  ; 
With  him  watching  over, 

I  never  need  fear. 

Beside  the  still  waters 

He  lulls  me  to  rest, 
With  faith  in  his  guidance, 

And  peace  in  my  breast. 

Though  I  walk  through  the  vale 
Of  the  shadow  of  death, 

I  have  no  fear  of  evil 
Or  calumny's  breath. 

His  rod  and  his  staff 

My  comfort  shall  be, 
And  his  goodness  and  mercy 

Will  e'er  follow  me. 


UNTO  THE  LORD   GIVE   THANKS. 
PSALM  cxvni. 

UNTO  the  Lord  give  thanks, 
For  the  Lord  our  God  is  good, 

His  mercy  endureth  forever, 

By  his  servant  he  ever  hath  stood. 

In  distress,  on  the  Lord  I  called, 
And  the  Lord  God  answered  me  ; 

In  high  places  he  set  me  up, 
From  sorrow  he  made  me  free. 

If  the  Lord  is  on  my  side, 

I  never- will  shrink  or  fear  ; 
What  can  man  do  unto  me 

When  I  feel  that  the  Lord  is  near  ? 

It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord, 

Than  in  princes  or  man  to  confide  ; 

The  Lord  is  my  strength  and  my  song, 
In  his  help  I  will  ever  abide. 

This  is  the  day  he  hath  made, 

In  it  I  will  ever  rejoice  ; 
Who  comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 

I  will  praise  with  my  harp  and  my  voice. 

88 


SONGS   OF  THE  KING.  39 


Save  now,  0  Lord,  I  beseech, 
Prosperity  send  now  on  me, 

Thou  art  my  God  and  my  Lord, 
I  exalt  and  will  ever  praise  thee. 

Unto  the  Lord  give  thanks, 
For  the  Lord  our  God  is  good, 

His  mercy  endureth  forever, 

By  his  servant  he  ever  hath  stood. 


UNLESS  THE   LORD   BE  WITH   US. 
PSALM  cxxvii. 

UNLESS  the  Lord  be  with  us, 

Our  labor  is  in  vain  ; 
Unless  the  Lord  the  city  keep, 

The  watch  need  not  remain. 

It  is  vain  to  rise  up  early, 
Or  to  sit  up  late  at  night, 

To  eat  the  bread  of  sorrow, 
Or  with  the  world  to  fight ; 

Unless  the  Lord  is  with  us 
And  a  watch  around  us  keep, 

For  by  his  care  he  giveth, 
To  his  beloved,  sleep. 

8* 


PRAISE   GOD. 
PSALM  cxm. 


J    MU4H     V--A.J.1.1.. 

FROM  the  rising  of  the  sun 
To  the  setting  of  the  same, 

Praise  ye  the  Lord, 
Praise  his  holy  name. 

Who  is  like  the  Lord 

Our  God  who  dwells  on  high  ? 
The  heaven  is  his  throne, 

His"charriot  is  the  sky. 

He  lifteth  up  the  poor 

And  the  needy  from  the  dust, 
He  shields  all  with  his  power, 

Who  in  him  put  their  trust. 

Then  praise  the  Lord  forever, 

Praise  his  holy  name, 
From  the  rising  of  the  sun 

To  the  setting  of  the  same. 


I   LOVE  THE  LORD  MY  GOD. 
PSALM  cxvi. 

I  LOVE  the  Lord  my  God 

Because  he  heard  rny  prayer, 

And  when  I  called  upon  him, 
Preserved  me  with  his  care. 

90 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING. 


He  found  me  in  great  trouble, 
In  sorrow  and  in  grief; 

I  called  upon  his  name, 
And  he  came  to  my  relief. 

Return  unto  thy  rest, 

My  soul,  dismiss  all  fears, 

Thy  Lord  has  conquered  death, 
And  wiped  away  thy  tears. 

Unto  the  Lord  my  God 
I'll  pay  my  daily  vow, 

In  the  presence  of  his  people, 
Before  the  Lord  I'll  bow  ; 

And  praise  his  holy  name 
In  every  land  and  nation, 

Because  he  heard  my  voice 
In  humble  supplication. 


"THEY  THAT   SOW  IN   TEARS." 
PSALM  cxxvi. 

THEY  that  sow  in  tears, 

In  joy  shall  reap, 
Bearing  precious  seed, 

Going  forth  to  weep. 

Yet  shall  they  return 

With  laughter  and  singing, 

Sorrow  turned  to  gladness, 
Bright  sheaves  bringing. 


UNTO  THEE,  O  LORD,  DO  I  LIFT  UP  MY 
SOUL." 

PSALM  xxv. 

UNTO  thee,  0  Lord,  I  lift  my  soul, 

To  thee,  the  strong  and  just ; 
Hear  thou,  0  Lord,  my  daily  prayer, 

Thy  mercy  is  my  trust. 

Show  me  thy  ways,  0  Lord, 

Teach  me  thy  narrow  path  ; 
Lead  me,  Lord,  in  thy  truth, 

Judge  me  not  in  thy  wrath. 

Remember  thy  tender  mercies 

To  the  patriarchs  of  old  ; 
Remember  not  my  transgression, 

But  keep  me  within  thy  fold. 

Then  I  can  dwell  at  ease 

With  the  lowly  and  the  meek, 

And  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  Lord, 
Is  the  happiness  I  shall  seek. 


•WHO  IS   STRONG  LIKE  THE  LORD?" 
PSALM  LXXXIX. 

0  LORD  God  of  Hosts, 

Who,  Lord,  is  strong  like  thee  ? 
0  Lord  God  of  Hosts, 

Thou  rulest  the  raging  sea. 

92 


SONGS   OF  THE  RING.  93 


When  the  waves  thereof  arise, 
Thou  stillest  them  with  thy  voice, 

The  heavens  and  earth  are  thine, 
In  thy  name  they  ever  rejoice. 

Thy  throne,  Lord,  is  justice  and  judgment, 
Before  thee  go  mercy  and  truth  ; 

Thou  hast  guarded  thy  humble  servant 
Through  all  the  dangers  of  youth. 

Thou  art  my  Father,  my  God  ! 

Thy  mercy  my  rock  of  salvation  ; 
Thy  truth  and  thy  righteousness,  Lord, 

I'll  praise  ever,  without  cessation. 


THOU  ART  MY  HIDING-PLACE,  O  GOD." 

PSALM  cxix. 

THOU  art  my  hiding-place,  0  God, 

My  refuge  and  my  shield  ; 
1  hope  forever  in  thy  Word, 

By  my  Redeemer  sealed. 

Thv  Word,  by  which  all  things  were  made, 

The  life,  the  light  to  see  ; 
Thy  Word  made  flesh,  and  full  of  grace, 

Nailed  to  the  shameful  tree. 

Oh,  let  thy  spirit,  like  a  dove, 

Be  hovering  ever  nigh, 
To  shield  me  while  I  live  and  move, 

To  save  me  when  I  die. 


COMMIT  THY  WAY  UNTO  THE  LORD.'1 
PSALM  xxxvu. 

COMMIT  thy  way  unto  the  Lord, 

The  mighty  and  the  just, 
And  he  shall  bring  it  soon  to  pass, 

If  thou  in  him  wilt  trust. 

Fret  not  thyself  that  others  thrive, 

Nor  envy  any  man ; 
God  carries  out  his  own  design 

On  a  mysterious  plan. 

With  faith  and  patience  wait  for  him, 

And  in  Jehovah  rest ; 
The  end  crowns  all,  and  thou  wilt  find 

All  things  are  for  the  best. 


"HELP  COMETH  FROM  THE   LORD.1' 
PSALM  cxxi. 

WHEN  clouds  and  shadows  gather  round 

The  pathway  which  I  tread, 
When  stirring  leaf  or  sudden  sound 

Can  fill  my  soul  with  dread, 
I  lift  my  eyes,  0  Lord,  to  thee, 
Who  made  the  heaven  and  earth  and  sea. 

94 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING.  95 


Then  like  the  murmuring  of  the  wind 

On  some  ^Eolian  cord, 
A  still,  small  voice  speaks  soft  and  kind, 

"  Help  cometh  from  the  Lord." 
That  he  who  doth  my  footsteps  keep, 
Shall  neither  slumber,  neither  sleep. 

The  fiery  sun  throughout  the  day 
Shall  have  no  power  to  smite  ; 

The  moon  shall  cast  no  saddening  ray 
Across  my  path  at  night ; 

For  thou  my  Keeper,  Lord,  wilt  stand, 

To  be  a  shade  on  my  right  hand. 


WHOM  HAVE  I  IN  HEAVEN  BUT  THEE? 

PSALM  LXXIII,  Vs.  23,  24,  25. 

IN  the  dark  and  lonely  night, 
My  soul  was  filled  with  fear  ; 

I  called  upon  my  God, 

And  felt  the  Lord  was  near. 

I  felt  an  unseen  presence 

By  rny  bedside  stand  ; 
I  felt  a  mighty  pressure, 

Holding  my  right  hand. 

I  knew  the  Lord  had  heard 

My  suffering  cry, 
And  I  answered  like  the  prophet, 

"  Lord,  here  am  I." 


96  soyas  OF  THE  RING. 


And  like  the  favored  Psalmist, 

I  felt  that  I  could  sing 
Thou  wilt  keep  me  safely,  Lord, 

'Neath  the  shadow  of  thy  wing. 

Thou  art  ever  by  my  side, 
On  the  sea  and  on  the  land  ; 

Thou  hast  holden  me,  my  God, 
In  the  dark,  by  my  right  hand. 

Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel, 
And  here  will  keep  me  blest, 

And  will  afterward  receive  me 
To  glory  and  to  rest. 

Whom  have  I,  0  my  Father, 
My  God  in  heaven,  but  thee  ? 

Thou  art  my  rock  and  refuge 
To  which  my  soul  would  flee. 

There  is  none  upon  the  earth 

That  I  desire  but  thee, 
My  God  !     My  strength  of  heart 

And  portion  thou  shalt  be. 

In  thee  I  put  my  trust, 

On  thy  promises  I  stand  ; 
Thou  hast  always  led  him  safely 

Thou  hast  holden  by  the  hand. 


THE  MIGHTY  POWER  OF  GOD. 

PSALM  civ. 

0  LORD  Jehovah,  them  art  great, 
In  strength  a  mighty  tower, 

Surrounded  on  eternal  thrones 
With  majesty  and  power. 

Thou  coverest  thyself  with  light 

Which  beautifies  the  land, 
And  stretchest  heaven's  curtains  wide, 

With  thy  light-giving  hand. 

The  bright  beams  of  thy  chamber  rest 

Upon  the  restless  sea, 
Which  murmurs  evermore  its  song, 

Great  God,  in  praise  of  thee. 

Thy  chariot  is  the  fleecy  cloud, 

Of  wild,  fantastic  form, 
Which  moves  upon  the  wings  of  wind. 

The  hurricane  and  storm. 

9  97 


A   PRAYER  — PART  1. 
PSALM  LXIX. 

SAVE  me,  0  God,  for  the  waters  come, 

Even  unto  my  soul  ; 
On  my  journey  I  cry  in  despair, 

Lest  I  never  reach  the  goal. 

I  stand  on  a  shattered  bark, 

And  I  gaze  towards  the  landing ; 

In  the  mire  I  sink  in  the  dark, 
And  find  there  is  no  standing. 

But  Thou  who  hearest  the  cry 

Of  all  who  humbly  pray, 
In  mercy  look  down,  0  Lord, 

And  show  thy  servant  the  way. 

In  thee  do  I  put  my  trust, 

On  thy  goodness,  Lord,  I  rest, 

And  whatever  thou  wiliest,  Lord, 
I  acknowledge  for  the  best. 

THE  ANSWER  — PART  2. 
PSALM  LXXVIII. 

THOU  hast  heard  my  humble  cry, 
Thou  hast  led  me  safely  on, 

And  my  doubt  and  darkness  fly 
In  the  morning's  happy  dawn. 

98 


SONGS  OF  THE  RING.  99 


Thou  hast  led  me  through  the  waters, 
To  the  mountain  which  I  sought, 

Where  the  oil  of  gladness  flows 

From  the  land  thy  right  hand  bought. 

0  Thou  who  smote  the  rocks, 
And  the  waters  overflowed, 

0  Thou  that  rained  down  manna 
For  thy  children,  on  their  road, 

Look  thou  in  kindness,  Lord, 

On  this  little  piece  of  land, 
Let  it  ever  flow  with  oil, 

As  the  purchase  of  thy  hand. 


IN   MEMORIAM. 
To  BRKVET  BRIG.  GKN.  TV.  A.  THORNTON. 

0  earth,  lay  gently  on  the  breast 

Of  Thornton,  who  now  takes  his  rest, 

Without  a  tarnish  on  his  crest, 

A  gentleman  and  soldier. 

0  flowers,  quickly  spring  and  bloom 
Upon  the  grave  and  round  the  tomb, 
Which  tears  will  water  at  thy  doom, 
0  gentleman  and  soldier. 

Threescore  in  years,  yet  undefiled, 
In  innocence  a  perfect  child, 
In  duty  firm  yet  ever  mild, 

A  gentleman  and  soldier. 


SONGS   OF  THE   RJXG. 


Upon  the  earthly  roll  of  fame 
Some  sudden  stars  may  lead  thy  name, 
And  quench  thy  light  beneath  their  flame, 
0  gentleman  and  soldier. 

But  when  we  answer  God's  roll-call, 
Before  thy  light  their  flame  will  pall, 
And  Thornton's  name  stand  first  of  all, 
As  Christian  and  as  soldier. 

And  heavenly  hosts  join  in  the  lay, 
Thou  hast  fought  well  and  won  the  day  ; 
Henceforth  with  us,  in  glory  stay, 

A  saint  as  well  as  soldier. 


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